Majority

Majority, even a majority or plurality, popularly linguistically most of a number of people or things. Predominantly the word is used to formulate rules for elections and referendums and is particularly described what kind of majority is necessary for a decision shall take effect.

• 2.1 Relative majority
• 2.2 Simple majority
• 2.3 Qualified majority
• 2.4 Absolute majority

Introduction

With majority of the largest or most ( or participation ) is called on an object or at a decision. It is of fundamental importance in democratic decisions in the form of elections and voting, but also in property law (including in equity right, home ownership, estate) information on the distribution of property.

The presence of a majority in a vote or election shall be deemed sufficient approval for the conclusion of a decision. The possible definition is usually based on oral agreements or is governed by statutes, regulations, laws or constitutions. This article describes the underlying classification which is also used in other fields.

This classification can be done on several levels, which can be the different types combined. A distinction is made

• On the required " amount " of establishing the majority with respect to the base value;
• According to the basic amount that is to be calculated on the basis of which the multi entirety.

Through historical cultural and regional imprinting the view can distinguish individual the following terms.

Types of majorities

• A relative majority is when you fall on united more votes or shares than any other of its own.
• A simple majority is who to be united more votes or shares than any other in its entirety.
• An absolute majority is who has more votes or shares to be united than any other in its entirety, taking into account the abstentions.
• A qualified majority has, who combines a fixed share of the votes or shares in coming.

Conclusion: Each absolute majority is also a simple, every simple majority is also a relative.

Legal terms

In the legal field is largely avoided due to the partial blurring of the terms on the attributes mentioned above. Instead, use is made of formulation like this:

• The most votes for a relative majority; (eg Article 63, paragraph 4 of the Constitution )
• The majority of the votes cast for a simple majority ( eg Art 42 para 2 GG) );
• Majority of the members of an absolute majority; ( eg Art 63 para 2 GG - supplemented by Article 121 of the Basic Law) )
• Two-thirds of the members for a qualified majority; (eg Article 79 paragraph 2 of the Basic Law ).

Majorities in polls

Relative majority

In a vote the proposal that has gained a relative majority, which combines the most votes. One example is the occurrence of this principle in the constituency candidates in the general election. The candidate with the most votes moves directly into the Bundestag. If it comes to equality of votes between several proposals, the relative majority is formally achieved by any just this. In the federal election law then determines the lot.

So mathematically speaking it constitutes that subset, which should always refer to the approval of a proposal or the whole of the negative votes, the basic amount ( of all valid votes excluding abstentions), which contains most of the elements.

The relative majority, the lowest requirement for the adoption of a proposal dar. abstentions have no effect, "No" vote may be allowed - for example when filling board positions in clubs or parties, where often only one person for election, not However, in the general election. For relative majority elections often a proposal is selected, which is not supported by the majority of voters or voters. This runoff process are often founded.

With the relative majority are not all the votes for the elected candidate votes "lost". A familiar example is the elections to parents' groups in schools, where the one who received the most votes, even if there are not more than half of the votes cast, won the election has ( eg § 64 para 2, school law NRWVorlage: § § / Maintenance / old URL: " to be elected, who received the most votes. "). This problem should carry about the bill Instant Runoff Voting.

Simple majority

In a vote the proposal that won a simple majority, which combines more votes than all other proposals together on itself.

So mathematically speaking it constitutes that subset, which should always refer to the approval of a proposal or the whole of the negative votes, the basic amount ( of all (valid) votes excluding abstentions), the more than half of the elements of basic set contains.

Abstentions find thus also with the question of a simple majority not be considered. The problem that proposals win that are not supported by the majority of voters or of voters remains available as well.

The term simple majority is sometimes also used for relative majorities, which can lead to mistakes. In fact, both are identical only in the event of two coordination alternatives.

Qualified majority

In a vote the proposal that has won by a qualified majority, which brings together more than a predetermined percentage ( quorum ) of the basic set up. The quorum is usually at 50 % or more, but can also be lower, when about all candidates for a mandate that exceed the quorum as a threshold, to move into the body to be selected. The basic amount may be either all (valid) votes (so-called simple qualified majority) or all of the voting rights ( so-called absolute qualified majority) include.

Example: two-thirds majority ( quorum = 2/3 ) of the votes

Example: two-thirds majority ( quorum = 2/3) of the voting

In both examples, the lowest number in each case is given to consenting for an acceptance of the proposal.

In principle it is also possible with the use of participation quorums that so their primary set relating to the voting rights and not to the approval, but to the casting of votes, not to speak of a qualified majority.

Absolute majority

In the absolute majority is a special qualified majority ( see above) with quorum > 50%.

Combinations

First, the various types can sequentially, that is, in sequence, can be used. Then, as with the German Chancellor and Federal presidential election, for example, in the first two rounds of voting requires an absolute majority and in the third - which in most cases is the last one then, except in the case of a tie or when preponderance of votes against - only the relative.

On the other hand, it is also possible, different majorities based on various basic quantities to require the same time.

Example - Double majority

The Treaty of Nice required for decisions of the Council of the European Union:

• A qualified majority of 255 out of 345 votes ( 73.91 %), these votes
• Come from an ( absolute ) majority of the Member States and
• (if requested ) must represent at least 62 % of the EU population.

Society / Law

In legal jargon it is called when a group is affected by something or does something majorities of people ( pluralities ). In German criminal law, for example, an insult of persons majorities in general ( in German jurists: in principle ) is not possible.

Quotes

"What is the majority? The majority is nonsense. Mind has always been in a few only. Sorry to crunch time, who has nothing? Did the beggar a freedom to make a choice? He has the mighty, who pays him to make bread and boots his vocal ' sell. Let not the voices weigh and not count. The State must perish, soon or late, where majority wins and ignorance decides. "

"The majority has the power - unfortunately -; but she has not the right. The right I have and a few others. The minority is always right. "