John Stuart Mill
Context, Concepts & Model questions and answers
John Stuart Mill - English Philosopher (1806-1873)
(Father James Mill secretary & collaborator of Jeremy Bentham {Utilitarianism})
Context of Era: Rise of Bourgeoise (Capitalist class - Through trading and businesses)
Utilitarianism, Gender equality, Liberty, Harm Principle
J.S. Mill's assertion that in a representative democracy, the people as a body must be able to control the general direction of policy is a foundational principle of democratic governance. This statement highlights the importance of popular sovereignty and the accountability of elected representatives to the electorate.
Q. Representative democracy means the people as body must be able to control general direction of policy (J.S. Mill). Comment.
J.S. Mills idea of representative democracy is based on the principles of liberty, gender equality, limited government & plural voting. In his work Liberty, he emphasizes on individual freedom and individuals right to participate in policy making.
Under Harm Principle Mill recommends that actions of individuals should only be limited when their action cause harm to others. He suggests for minimum & rightful government intervention. He also advocates for protection of minority rights (Unpopular opinions). Mill thinks that silencing any opinion is not a sign of mature civilization rather it is destructive to a society hampering its growth, development & innovation.
While mills uphold democratic principles in his philosophy, he also emphasizes on potential dangers under idea of Collective Despotism. He fears that democracy has potential to be tyranny of majority. Hence, Mills suggests for plural voting i.e. more educated individual having greater power for good decision.
His version of democracy is liberal representative democracy. We can find similar version of democracy in Indian constitution. For example, under Article 19 (freedom of expression) & Article 25 (Protection of religious minorities) reflects mills idea of liberty, protecting minority but at the same time IPC 124A sedition laws provide for action against hate speech (limited government intervention)
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Q. John Stuart Mill is a reluctant democrat. Comment.
J.S. Mill is often described as a reluctant democrat because while he supported principles of democracy, he was deeply concerned about its potential dangers also. In his work Liberty, he emphasizes the importance of individual’s freedom and limited government.
He suggests for minimalist approach of government intervention under Harm Principle i.e. actions of the individuals should only be limited when their action cause harm to others. Which emphasizes on balancing individual freedom for wellbeing of others. He also advocates for protection of minority rights (Unpopular opinions). Mill thinks that silencing any opinion is not a sign of mature civilization rather it is destructive to a society hampering its growth, development & innovation.
While mills uphold democratic principles in his philosophy, he also emphasizes on potential dangers under idea of Collective Despotism. He fears that democracy has potential to be tyranny of majority, this can also be seen in contemporary example of atrocities against Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. Hence, Mills suggests for plural voting i.e. more educated individual having greater power for good decision.
Mill’s idea of plural voting and liberty are criticized by Karl Marx as elitist ideas. He argues that Mills ideas can further increase inequalities in society and does not count for disadvantaged majority section of society.
J.S. Mills idea of personal freedom, limited government does make him a democrat but his ideas about collective despotism, plural voting makes him a reluctant one. His version of democracy is liberal representative democracy.
Q. Comment on J.S. Mills ideas on women suffrage.
Among all the philosopher’s J.S. Mill stands tall as advocate of gender equality, due to his work on women suffrage elaborated in his book Subjection of women. In this he explains why equality is critical for solving world’s problems. He believed that equality allows everyone to decide how they can best contribute to society.
In Liberty, Mill emphasize that every individual should have freedom to participate in society. Especially women, which are almost half of the society’s population cannot be marginalized from it. This lack of access to women’s perspective often leads to continuation of cultural stereotypes. He further advocates for freedom of expression & protection of minority rights (Unpopular opinions). Mill thinks that silencing any opinion is not a sign of mature civilization rather it is destructive to a society hampering its growth, development & innovation.
Mill in his work Utilitarianism elaborates his utilitarianism perspective for women. His utilitarianism is based on overall consequence of the action & quality of pleasures derived out of it. According to him, women suffrage is high quality pleasure which not only includes around half of the population in policy making but also increases overall happiness of society. His idea of Harm Principle also supports women suffrage. Which states that every individual should have natural right of liberty unless individuals action causes harm to others.
Mills idea of women suffrage is not only the corner stone of his work, but his idea of equality is one of the founding principles of modern democracies. It still holds significant relevance.