Liberty and Tyranny

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how, in his formative essay, "On Liberty", Mill approaches the issue of governmental and societal tyranny. In particular, it looks at how he approaches the basic areas in which liberty is important, in addition to discussing the problem of tyranny, which can abridge those liberties. It shows how Mill provides an historical look at the ways in which tyranny has been played out and details its evolution from a tyranny of the despot to a tyranny of the majority.

From the Paper:

"The basic problem of tyranny has always been with humankind, and may in fact be the foundation of our society. Mills suggests that tyranny may be the only way to cement primitive "barbarian" cultures, and that where civilization is so lacking that it is as if all the people are like children in development it may be necessary to so restrict their freedoms so as to let the society survive. However, this is not the case, he adds, with any society where his book might be read or understood. As mankind left the primitive stage, it remained true that tyranny was necessary for the protection of the people. In this early form of tyranny, there was a single ruler (or ruling force) to which people turned for protection but from whom they in turn sought to protect themselves."

More papers on Liberty and Tyranny:

• Essay # 9587 : "Freedom and Liberty from Tyranny"
• Comparison Essay # 115295 : "What is Liberty?"
• Comparison Essay # 103039 : "Mill, de Toqueville and Schmitt: Problems of Democracy"

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