Majorities

Abstract

Majorities is a term that refers to the dominant group in a society, and can be defined as members of a group who hold power and have the greatest access to resources. A majority group does not necessarily imply a numerical majority. This distinction is most clear with the example of the former apartheid system in South African where the numerical white minority were the majority and the numerical majority, blacks, the minority group. Majorities are different from minorities in that minorities do not hold power – whether economic, political, or social. The majority, or dominant group, develop the laws that define the rights of minority and majority group members. For instance, historically, in many countries, men have prevented women from voting or being able to handle their own financial or legal affairs. Women may receive less pay than their male counterparts for similar jobs and are often prohibited from participating in activities considered the domain of men in many countries. This is the case even when women, the numerical majority group, outnumber men, the dominant majority group.