This sense of having a mandate encouraged Morales to exercise power based on the simple principle of majority rule.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Quietly following Chavez's lead

So why shouldn't the normal democratic rule, that a simple majority is all that's needed for legitimacy, apply here?

BBC: What kind of democracy for votes on bosses' pay?

Malaysia's ruling coalition has won a simple majority in the country's election, extending its 56-year rule.

BBC: Malaysia vote: PM Najib Razak's Barisan Nasional wins