The "tyranny of the majority" can result in which of the following? 1. It can result in the coercion of minorities. 2. It refers to the exclusion of the majority community from routine benefits. 3. It can lead to inter-community domination.

The correct option is (c). Explanation The "tyranny of the majority" is a political concept referring to a situation in a democratic society where the majority group imposes its will, values, or interests on minority groups, often disregarding their rights and liberties. The Constitution and Fundamental Rights serve as safeguards against this potential excess of democracy. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: The tyranny of the majority inherently involves the coercion of minorities. It can result in the majority enforcing its customs or decisions upon minority groups, thereby restricting their freedom and equality. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: This phenomenon results in the exclusion or marginalization of the minority community, not the majority. The majority utilizes its numerical strength to access benefits or enforce dominance, often excluding minorities from routine benefits or decision-making processes. - Statement 3 is Correct: Inter-community domination refers to one community dominating another. The tyranny of the majority is a primary form of inter-community domination, where the religious, linguistic, or ethnic majority dominates the minority groups. Key Takeaway: A primary function of the Constitution and Fundamental Rights is to protect minority groups from the "tyranny of the majority" and prevent inter-community domination.

NCERT Class 8 Political Science — Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution

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The "tyranny of the majority" can result in which of the following?

It can result in the coercion of minorities.
It refers to the exclusion of the majority community from routine benefits.
It can lead to inter-community domination.

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (c).

Explanation

The "tyranny of the majority" is a political concept referring to a situation in a democratic society where the majority group imposes its will, values, or interests on minority groups, often disregarding their rights and liberties. The Constitution and Fundamental Rights serve as safeguards against this potential excess of democracy.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The tyranny of the majority inherently involves the coercion of minorities. It can result in the majority enforcing its customs or decisions upon minority groups, thereby restricting their freedom and equality.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: This phenomenon results in the exclusion or marginalization of the minority community, not the majority. The majority utilizes its numerical strength to access benefits or enforce dominance, often excluding minorities from routine benefits or decision-making processes.
Statement 3 is Correct: Inter-community domination refers to one community dominating another. The tyranny of the majority is a primary form of inter-community domination, where the religious, linguistic, or ethnic majority dominates the minority groups.

Key Takeaway:
A primary function of the Constitution and Fundamental Rights is to protect minority groups from the "tyranny of the majority" and prevent inter-community domination.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution

With reference to the concept of 'Constitutive Rules' in a society, consider the following: 1. They define the fundamental nature of a society. 2. They are temporary rules that change with every election. 3. In modern large societies, these rules are typically formulated through consensus. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the historical evolution of the Indian Constitution: 1. The demand for a Constituent Assembly was first made by the British Government in 1934. 2. The Constituent Assembly was convened for the first time in December 1946. 3. The drafting of the Constitution was completed between December 1946 and November 1949. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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From the perspective of constitutional governance, what is the central purpose of adopting a Constitution in a democracy?

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Consider the following assertions regarding the political history of Nepal: 1. The 1990 Constitution of Nepal vested final authority in the Council of Ministers. 2. The 2015 Constitution of Nepal was adopted to establish the country as a democracy. 3. The transition from monarchy to democracy did not require any change in the constitutive rules of the state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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In the Indian Constitution, the safeguards against the misuse of authority by political leaders are primarily enshrined in:

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The correct option is (c).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The tyranny of the majority inherently involves the coercion of minorities. It can result in the majority enforcing its customs or decisions upon minority groups, thereby restricting their freedom and equality.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: This phenomenon results in the exclusion or marginalization of the minority community, not the majority. The majority utilizes its numerical strength to access benefits or enforce dominance, often excluding minorities from routine benefits or decision-making processes.
Statement 3 is Correct: Inter-community domination refers to one community dominating another. The tyranny of the majority is a primary form of inter-community domination, where the religious, linguistic, or ethnic majority dominates the minority groups.

Key Takeaway:
A primary function of the Constitution and Fundamental Rights is to protect minority groups from the "tyranny of the majority" and prevent inter-community domination.