--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A fatal defect in majority rule is that…" description: "\"A fatal defect in majority rule is that by its very nature it abolishes itself. Majority rule must inevitably become minority rule: the majority is too..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/mary-parker-follett-7967_abolish_a-fatal-defect-in-majority-rule-is-that_2524695.jpg" --- # A fatal defect in majority rule is that by its very nature… ![“A fatal defect in majority rule is that by its very nature it abolishes itself. Majority rule must inevitably become minority rule: the majority is too big to handle itself; it organizes itself into committees ... which in their turn resolve themselves into a committee of one.” quote by Mary Parker Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/mary-parker-follett-7967_abolish_a-fatal-defect-in-majority-rule-is-that_2524695.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/mary-parker-follett-7967_abolish_a-fatal-defect-in-majority-rule-is-that_2524695.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/mary-parker-follett-7967_abolish_a-fatal-defect-in-majority-rule-is-that_2524695.jpg) > “A fatal defect in majority rule is that by its very nature it abolishes itself. Majority rule must inevitably become minority rule: the majority is too big to handle itself; it organizes itself into committees ... which in their turn resolve themselves into a committee of one.” [Mary Parker Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-parker-follett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Majority rule eventually fragments into smaller groups, leading to a loss of collective power and the rise of individual dominance. **In simple terms:** Large groups can break into committees, ending up with one person in control. Key Takeaway Beware of over‑fragmentation in decision‑making. Themes leadership decision making group dynamics Mood analytical cautionary Type organizational philosophical When to use this quote - corporate governance - community organizing - political systems Key Concepts committee formation power diffusion minority rule Questions to Reflect On - How can groups stay cohesive while delegating? - When does a committee become counter‑productive? A Different Perspective Too many layers can stall action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defects/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Majority rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majority-rule/) [Minorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minorities/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Resolve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolve/) ## Related quotes > [Its minority rule and majority limited rights. In fact it's set up that way. 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The Constitution by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-history-of-the-government-of-the-united-states-under-the-present/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Far from an excess of majority rule, American democracy has seen the rise of minority rule, with efforts to entrench it in the states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamelle-bouie/far-from-an-excess-of-majority-rule-american-democracy-has-seen-the/) [Jamelle Bouie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamelle-bouie/) > [Democracy is an experiment, and the right of the majority to rule is no more inherent than the right of the minority to rule;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-allen-white/democracy-is-an-experiment-and-the-right-of-the-majority-to-rule-is/) [William Allen White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-allen-white/) > [The principle of majority rule is the mildest form in which the force of numbers can be exercised. It is a pacific substitute for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-principle-of-majority-rule-is-the-mildest-form-in-which-the-force/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [It is unnatural for a majority to rule, for a majority can seldom be organized and united for specific action, and a minority can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/it-is-unnatural-for-a-majority-to-rule-for-a-majority-can-seldom-be/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [Let's pretend six people live in your house. 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Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [we certainly do not want to abolish power, that would be abolishing life itself, but we need a new orientation toward it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-parker-follett/we-certainly-do-not-want-to-abolish-power-that-would-be-abolishing/) [Mary Parker Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-parker-follett/) > [The justification of majority rule in politics is not to be found in its ethical superiority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-justification-of-majority-rule-in-politics-is-not-to-be-found-in/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/before-i-can-live-with-other-folks-i-ve-got-to-live-with-myself-the/) [Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/) ## More by Mary Parker Follett > [Many people tell me what I ought to do and just how I ought to do it, but Few have made me want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-parker-follett/many-people-tell-me-what-i-ought-to-do-and-just-how-i-ought-to-do-it/) [Mary Parker Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-parker-follett/) > [We are not wholly patriotic when we are working with all our heart for America merely; we are truly patriotic only when we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-parker-follett/we-are-not-wholly-patriotic-when-we-are-working-with-all-our-heart/) [Mary Parker Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-parker-follett/) > [One of the greatest values of controversy is its revealing nature. 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