保护少数权利是民主的重要构件

Protection of the Minority Rights Being an Important Constituent of Democracy

保护少数权利既是民主的基本特征,亦是民主过程本身的必要条件。保护少数权利与民主之间存在着紧密的内在关联。无论作为价值而创设的民主,还是作为手段而创设的民主,都符合民主创设的基本目标。民主意味着人民享有主权以及社会成员参与社会的管理,民主也意味着具有程序性的选举,保护少数权利契合民主的这些本质。保护少数权利体现民主的社会公正原则、竞争性原则、商议性原则、个人自由平等原则和包容性原则。保护少数权利还能在很大程度上维护民主的程序正义。

Protection of the minority fights is both a basic characteristic of democracy and a necessary condition in the course of democracy. There is a close and intrinsic relationship between protection of the minority rights and democracy. Democracy, whether established as value or means, conforms to the essential goal of democracy establishment. Democracy means that people enjoy sovereign rights and that social members participate in social administration. It also includes election with procedure and protection of the minority rights. Moreover, protection of the minority rights embodies the principles of democracy such as social justice, competition, negotiation, liberty and equality of the individual, and inclusiveness. It is also, in a large sense, capable of preserving the procedural jus- tice of democracy.