In the final analysis, majority and minority ethnic groups learn to co-exist out of self-interest
The potential of a "tyranny of the majority" always exists in any society, even a democratic one. And James Madison was quite prescient about this in his commentary. In my native India, this argument has often been used by minority Muslims, who point to the fact that 80 percent of India's population consists of Hindus.
But India has nevertheless managed to remain a secular state where minorities of all sorts are respected and are accorded the same rights and privileges as the majority. Indeed, there are even special quotas in educational and governmental institutions to assist minorities.
Of course, Muslims number nearly 200 million in India, a country of almost 1.2 billion people. While they are statistically a "minority," demographically their huge presence hardly makes them susceptible to the "tyranny of the majority."
My argument is this: Ultimately, most majorities and minorities find ways to co-exist, economically and socially, because of their driving self-interest. There are exceptions, of course, such as in the Balkans where there was so much bloodshed over ethnic issues. But I don't fear this sort of a thing in Iraq.
However imperfectly this month's election turns out, Shias, Sunnis and Kurds will find a way to co-exist. After all, they occupy common ground: geography, and their shared hatred of the US presence.