The Millian Thoughts of Lani Guinier

Introduction

Professor Guinier’s writings do not at all attack the principle of one person, one vote. She does not call for the abandonment of majority rule; she does, however, propose electoral mechanisms designed to ameliorate the excesses of pure majoritarianism. She labors to fashion a system that is fairer to all who hold minority viewpoints regardless of race or ethnicity. Her proposed reforms focus on protecting ideological minorities, not racial minorities. Quite plainly, they avoid race-conscious districting and quotas. Thus, her proposals-emerging from her experience as an advocate and litigator on behalf of racial and ethnic minority groups can hardly be as regarded as “reverse racism.”