Tyranny of the majority. The phrase tyranny of the majority, used in discussing systems of democracy and majority rule, envisions a scenario in which decisions made by a majority place its interests so far above those of an individual or minority group as to constitute active oppression, comparable to that of tyrants and despots.
Pickups are part of what makes a good guitar, and they can improve your guitar's tone. For example, put the lowest quality pickups in a PRS, and it won't sound as good. But put the best pickups in a really low quality guitar such as a Hello Kitty guitar, and the tone will improve. There are other factors, such as wood quality and craftsmanship. If you're looking to improve your guitar's tone, first thing you should get is a better amp.
The subject of pickups is a big one and it would be foolish for me to state this as final or complete guide to choosing the right pickup for your bass. Pickups are important to the sound of a bass, ranked right up there with strings as a way of defining your sound. They probably have more effect on your final sound than whatever combination of woods you choose for that perfect tone. To complicate the issue, a pickup can give quite different results on different basses.