John Stuart Mill Representative Government Two Purposes of

John Stuart Mill Representative Government

Two Purposes of government To “improve” the citizens The nature of “liberalism” The “good” vs. the “right” Priority of the “right” Liberty and meta-ethics To manage their public affairs Security Domestic and foreign trade policy

Despotism Leads No to passivity and inaction reason to be informed No reason to exercise one’s deliberative capacities Undermines the prosperity of the state Undermines respect for, confidence in, the government

Human Nature Human beings flourish only under conditions of independence Principle of Utility Active participation and the “Aristotelian Principle” The development of self-respect

Direct Democracy? Efficiency Ignorance and inexperience of the demos Self interest of the mob Tensions between dictatorship and representation

Opportunities to Participate Jury Duty Education in exercising deliberative skills within the framework of law “highly distilled and concentrated training for democracy” Local Government Opportunity to exercise executive judgment in matters of local, i. e. limited, influence.

Separation of Powers Federalist Papers: Madisonian constitutional democracy How do we ensure that representatives won’t turn into dictators? Checks and balances Mill’s additional checks: Campaign finance limitations Limitations on compensation

Mixed Motivation Voting General interest vs. self-interest Personal interests Group (class, ethnicity, etc. ) prejudice Similarities with Jury Duty Mill’s proposals Open vote? Public disapproval (Censor) Literacy Tests? Self-supporting? Unequal Franchise, Plural Voting? Electors or Respected intellectuals?

Tyranny of the Majority Proportional representation Restrict the “legitimate sphere” of government Identification of basic rights and liberties

Intrinsic Value of Democracy The Social Bases of Self-respect Equal treatment under the law is an essential feature of self-respect