In any democratically-organized association, it helps each member to actively participate
in every democratic process and procedure, including discussion, debate, and decision-
making. It helps for the majority to know that there are other opinions and opposed
preferences. It helps that other opinions are expressed and publicized, that opposed
choices are exhibited and argued for.

How does the minority's input into a public choice help the minority? It does help those
in the minority to know that their minority opinion is acknowledged, recognized, respected,
and freely and openly made known. It also helps the minority to know that their opinion
is being given a fair and just hearing. It may rile a minority faction that the majority does
not agree with them; but, it helps the minority party to know that they are free to think
what they will, and to say publicly what they think. It helps to know that, even when you
vote with the minority on some public concerns, yet you are living in a democracy where
you are free to be fully engaged in public discussion and in political decisions.





"Democracy is essentially anti-authoritarian -- that is, it not only demands the right but
imposes the responsibility of thinking for ourselves."
-- Bergen Evans