EVERY form of government has its strengths and weaknesses. For democracy, a key theoretical weakness has always been the threat of a “tyranny of the majority.” In Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville observed: “If the free institutions of America are destroyed, that event may be attributed to the omnipotence of the majority.” Today, this worry is especially pronounced in the economic realm. In spite of our constitutional protections, an electoral majority still has the power to seize control of society’s resources and condemn the productive minority to a heavily taxed penury.
In the United States, the elderly are the most likely candidates for the dictator’s role. To begin with, senior citizens are much more politically engaged than the young: Among people aged 75 years and older, more than 66 percent voted in the 2004 election. By contrast, only about 42 percent of people between 18 and 24 went to the polls. Moreover, the AARP—formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons-is one of the most influential lobbying organizations in Washington. In a recent study, it ranked sixth among such groups in terms of money spent, edging out defense giant Northrop Grumman. As our society ages, its considerable influence will only increase.
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