The Concept of Majority Rule - Assignment Example

Order # 221945 THE CONCEPTS OF MAJORITY RULE AND MINORITY RIGHTS "Majority rule is a means for organizing government and deciding public issues", according to the United States of America International Information (http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/majority.htm. ret: 4/21/08). Practically, this is another route to liberty which may mean that not a single person or organized institution is given the prerogative to neither be dominant over the others nor cart off the rights of self-determination as well as its inherent privileges.

On the other hand, the United States of America Constitution characterize minorities clearly too either be a product of culture, religion, topography, and earnings, otherwise those who suffered political or election defeat. These categories of people were provided the fundamental rights that all the other citizens enjoy. (http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/majority.htm. ret: 4/21/08). The relationship between the two is that the principles of majority rule and minority rights identically support an egalitarian form of government in the United States of America.

An example to this is the "Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which make illegal employment discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It applies to all colleges and universities, public or private that have at least fifteen employees. The U.S. Constitution prohibits state employment in violation of the equal protection of the laws, and applies to all public institutions of higher education. Title VII and the Constitution jointly establish what is required and permitted with respect to affirmative action in higher education" (The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1964).

Another example which exhibits the duality of the constitution is the No Child Left Behind Act of the NCLB, a constitutional provision ensuring the right of all children to be studying in school (Henley, Mcbride, Milligan, and Nichols, 2007). Practically, this constitutional provision promotes the need for every citizen of the United States of America to gain the appropriate knowledge for wisdom in any chosen field. This must also be in consistent with the current global trend towards service industry.

However, a current issue relative to this provision is the question of recess and socialization deprivation advocated by some sectors of society as well as parents. This was because of the forfeiture of the time supposedly allocated for breaks in classes. But, seemingly, legislators must have considered time expediency for the formal education. As well, a class being a social group would be the right venue for children to learn social ethics while in school rather than just handpicking some outside the guidance of a teacher.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 ("FERPA"), was signed into law, and became the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) called "Protection of the Rights and Privacy of Parents and Students," (US Department of Education rets: 4/8/2008). It was also commonly referred to as the "Buckley Amendment"(US Department of Education rets: 4/8/2008). One prominent feature of this provision is the right of every citizen to privacy in terms of their academic records. This specific constitutional provision selectively prohibits the utilization of any student record for private purposes apart from educational and instructional intention.

Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote, ratified in February 3, 1870 of the United States of America Bill of Rights, states "1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude" (The U.S. Constitution Online ret: 4/21/08). This constitutional provision clearly stipulates the right of every American citizen at voting age to take part in any election and make a choice on any candidate of choice.

All of the above examples obviously project the notion that under the American Constitution, majority rule is limited to legislative functions of government to ensure an egalitarian society.ReferenceHenley, Joan, Jackie Mcbride, Julie Milligan, and Joe Nichols. (2007). Robbing Elementary Students of Their Childhood: The Perils of No Child Left Behind. Education 128, no. 1: 56+. http://www.questia.com/.International Information. Principle of Democracy: Majority Rule, Minority Rights. Program: USINFO.STATE.GOV.

(http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/majority.htm. ret: 4/21/08).The U.S. Constitution Online. The United States Constitution. http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html, ret: 4/21/08.The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/vii.html. Ret: 4/21/08.US Department of Education. Legislative History of Major FERPA Provisions. http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/leg-history.html.

Ret: 4/8/2008.