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Confucian Meritocratic Democracy over Democracy for Minority Interests and Rights

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Abstract

In Western political philosophy, democracy is generally the dominant view regarding what the best form of government is, and this holds even in respect to promoting minority rights. However, I argue that there is a better theory for satisfying minority interests and rights. I amass numerous studies from the social sciences demonstrating how democracy does poorly in accounting for minority interests. I then contend that a particular hybrid view that fuses a meritocracy with democracy can do a better job than democracy in accounting for minority interests and in having more equal rights and fair policies coming from the legislative and executive branches. Finally, I defend this thesis from numerous counters.

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  1. California State University-Sacramento, Philosophy Department, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA

    John J. Park

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Correspondence to John J. Park.

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Park, J.J. Confucian Meritocratic Democracy over Democracy for Minority Interests and Rights. Dao 23, 25–38 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11712-023-09918-3

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