Final answer:
The 'tyranny of numbers' refers to how democratic majorities can exert oppressive control over minorities, with historical examples like the three-fifths clause in the U.S. Constitution and colonial domination by a few countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "tyranny of numbers" refers to a situation where the sheer majority in a democratic or population-based system can override the needs, rights, and welfare of the minority, leading to a form of tyranny by the majority. This concern has historical precedent and relevance, where numbers and majorities have been used to justify actions and laws that might not be just or fair.
For instance, the three-fifths clause in the original U.S. Constitution, which determined how slaves would be counted for legislative representation, is an example where numbers played a role in a morally ambiguous decision. This reflects on how statistical majorities can influence governance, sometimes leading to oppressive outcomes. In another example, during feudal or colonial times, a small group of countries used their power and legal systems to rule over a much larger portion of the world's population, often to the detriment of those being ruled. This historically demonstrates the real effects of how the tyranny of numbers can be used to wield authority unjustly.
A historical analysis by Alexis de Tocqueville and Edmund Burke highlights the potential dangers of democracy devoid of control and the importance of tradition and incremental change, respectively, as opposed to radical changes advocated by numerical majorities.