On Liberty - John Stuart Mill's Constraints for a Workable Society - Book Report/Review Example

Essay Topic: Do the constraints John Stuart Mill places on liberty make for a workable society? Introduction John Stuart Mill’s book on liberty (P.F. Collier & Son, 1909) mainly espouses that the development of individual liberty is constrained by the development of the government itself wherein the voice of the majority rules over those not belonging to the class of the majority. Hence, when the government refers to the will of the people, it actually meant the “will of the most numerous or the most active part of the people” (Stuart, p. 5). John Stuart Mill further discuss this aspect of the rule of the majority as a constraint to individual liberty applying it to the case of freedom of expression, action of people having unpopular views and society’s ability to curtail individual freedom. Objectives. This essay will discuss the issue whether the constraints John Stuart Mill places on liberty make for a workable society. It will delve on his main contention which is the government itself put constraints to liberties of individuals living in a society. Applicable Australian political setting or issues will help illustrate the discussions of the issue of this essay. Overall Argument. The author outlines his essay presentation with the argument that indeed the constraint John Stuart Mill places on liberty is still realistic for a workable society. Structure. The essay presents the overall constraint place by the government on individual liberty as identified by John Stuart Mill. Constraints to liberty related to freedom of expression, action of people with unpopular views and society’s ability to curtail individual freedom follows the discussion. Constraints Put by the Government on Individual Liberty Necessary for a Workable Society Mill further argues that spontaneous act of individual liberty must be subject to an outside control such as the laws imposed by the government particularly if it harms other individuals’ right to enjoy life and live safely within the community (P.F. Collier & Son, p. 12). This is what he meant by the government putting constraints to individual liberty of its citizens so as to implement peaceful co-existence of its citizens. Hence, laws and ordinances have to be followed so that there is a uniform benchmark to assess inordinate behaviors of citizens and determine who are acting way out of line of what is supposed to be socially and lawfully acceptable. Only the enacting these laws allow for a livable society where everyone feels safe to live in a community, secured in their own homes. However, creating these laws must not go through an authoritarian process but must be developed through a consultative process where the majority will give their consent on the appropriateness of such laws. Consent must be given either through individual or representative consent such as the one being done by the political system of Australia where citizens have to both for representative to the parliament who will be responsible for passing laws that is relevant and helpful for their constituents. The institutionalization of the government is crucial to implement necessary laws to protect citizens from unlawful threats. Australian political system is an example of such organized government system. As what Mill discusses in the first chapter of On Liberty (P.F. Collier & Son, 1909) the creation of a government progress from the rule of the ruler to the rule of the majority which is determined by a democratic process called the electoral process where citizens vote for its representatives to the government who will decide who will sit on the higher office to govern how the country will be run but subject to the scrutiny and supervision of the majority. Hence, Australian has a federal system of government with parliamentary procedures wherein citizens of every States vote their own representatives for the congress and senate to enact laws and vote for the prime minister of the country (Parliament of Australia Education Office). It is this system of the rule of the majority that Australian political system emanates to directly serve the people of Australia. This system of governance is set to put in line citizens’ ways with the majority clamoring for peaceful existence hence the creation of a legal or criminal system that will punish those who will not abide by the laws enforced by parliament. It is in this constraint to absolute freedom that Australia is created into a workable and livable society at present, hence, making it a realistic illustration of Mill’s contention in his book. The authority of the government is crucial to put a sense of balance to the exercise of one’s individual rights but not in absolute way where a person can harm another person. A balanced society is important for it to be fully livable which means it has the necessary environment for people to co-exist peacefully. The important role of the government is to ensure that peaceful co-existence is implemented within its society. Freedom of Expression Must Not Be Curtailed The absolute freedom of the individual for expression is espoused by John Stuart Mill in Chapter Two of the book On Liberty (p.21) wherein he believes that dissent is necessary to put check and balance to the works of the government and make the people aware what their elected politicians are doing with their jobs. It might not be welcome information for the political figure but curtailing such dissent is altogether not right. Hence, this is the constraint to the liberty of the government. Mill believes that there are actions of others like one doing dissent that might be harmful to one person such as a political figure but is beneficial to the general public in a higher perspective. Further, Mill believes that morality should guide one’s action and in the end it is the individual himself, or group of individuals that will provide guidance to his own actions or actions of his colleague or fellow man. Illustrating this issue in the Australian setting, the Australian press always advocates absolute freedom of the press but it recognizes for responsible and ethical actions of press people as espoused by the Australian Press Council who self regulate its members to express within the boundary of responsible and ethical press freedom (Australian Press Council). Hence, it guides its members to verify information before informing the public about it so as to assess the extent of truth in the issue or complaint raised by various sources about the government, its politicians or workers regarding how they carry out their public jobs. The role of the press in Australian political scene and society as a whole is crucial in keeping the public informed and also empowering the public to voice out what their thoughts of the political system and its leaders. It serves as a tool for the people to openly supervise the works of the people they have elected into their political system and provide opinions whether they have fulfilled the purpose for which they are elected into office. Australian press also provides information to the public on how the government implements its role in the society whether it is social, political or economic in nature. Thus, it play a crucial role in keeping the public informed and provide different facets of illustrations on the affairs of the government and where the leadership is taking the country with its policies and actions. Hence, the public can give appropriate opinions or gather relevant information to guide them on how to look at the achievements of the government. A workable society will only be possible if information needed to know how the society is run by its leaders is available to the people. The absence of such freedom of access of information will result to citizens living in the dark not knowing where their country is going and how effective their leaders are in bringing their country towards progress. Hence, absolute freedom of expression is necessary to make for a workable society. It is only when people’s voices are heard that the government will know what they clamor for and addresses its authenticity for further action. This is how a society should be to be able to advance towards progress and later on independence to its people. Expression is a crucial element of a workable society. Action of People with Unpopular Views Should Be Curtailed Chapter Three of On Liberty, Mill discuss that actions of people with unpopular views should be subjected to legal constraints since there is difference between expressing one’s opinions and acting out one’s unpopular views which can harm other people in the process (p. 76). Mill recognizes the difference between verbally expressing one’s views and physically acting it out. The latter he recognize as a threat to one’s liberty for security living in a society. Take for example the plight of Australian aborigines where they are expressing views of legitimately claiming ancestral lands in certain parts of Australia. Expressing their views on ancestral claims drew various reactions, good or bad, from non-Aboriginal Australians. Some have even express concern, fear and angry over the issue of claims of Aboriginal Australians on certain areas of Australia. Putting into context Mill’s argument that it is alright to allow individuals or group of individuals to express their views or opinions on certain issues such as what the Australian Aborigines and Non-Aborigines are expressing in relation to ancestral land claim. However, it is a different matter when each member of each sector act out their claims without proper compliance to legal jurisdiction such as claiming a land forcibly or attacking land claimants as a pro-active deterrent action. These acts of liberty are something that needs to be prevented, hence, legal and criminal justice system is put in place in Australian government to put in check or prevent criminal acts of individuals or group of individuals in relation to their unpopular views of society. Also, the government puts in place a law that will address such issue such as the Aboriginal Law of Australia that guides to resolve any claim put up by Aborigines and settle it through the legal system of the country. The law in a way prevents Aborigines from veering away from the use of legal system to resolve their claims making use of reason in men (Humphry, 1995). Again, in this instance Mill’s view on curtailing action of unpopular views as constraint to liberty is important for a workable society. The absence of such implementation will only lead to chaos in society, specifically to Aborigines and Non-Aborigines of Australia. If these sectors are left to themselves to resolve the issue without the guidance of a law or the government, troubles are expected which can further result to disintegration of the society that they currently live. Also, majority needs to be protected against abusive actions particularly for those weaker members of society. Only when the weak and members of society who are susceptible to harm are protected can the society be able to move towards progress. Only when people recognize civil protection can the society advance towards higher level of co-existence. Society’s Ability to Curtail Individual Freedom Mill argued that “though society is not founded on a contract, everyone who receives the protection of society owes a return for the benefit…… each should be bound to observe certain line of conduct towards the rest” (P.F. Collier & Son, p. 103). Hence, this phrase emphasizes the sovereignty of the government over its people with regards to following the rules and regulations it promulgates for the protection of the overall safety of majority of its citizens. In doing so, it is directly curtailing the absolute right of individuals to act according to what they want to a point of hurting others in the process. The government as the highest form of governance in society is tasked to limit absolute application of individual liberties of its citizens and put their actions in line with what is morally and legally accepted within the society. This authority of the government to curtail individual freedom of its citizens is a must for real society to be workable. It is only when things are in order through abidance to stipulated rules and regulations of the country can a society operate efficiently and become effective to serve its citizens. Citizens will only trust a government when they see that it is doing its job to protect the rights of the majority and implement measures to punish those people exercising their rights in an extreme way. There should be a boundary to what actions are acceptable or not in a given society. Laws implemented by the government put such boundary to men’s actions, hence, giving way to an orderly way of living in a given community. Society can put constraint to individual liberty by putting pressure to an individual’s action by mere implementing the belief of the majority particularly if it has become a tradition already. Most of the time traditions prevent an individual to take actions against the common belief of society for fear of becoming an outcast. This also illustrates Mill’s views on society putting constraints to individual liberties which is practically works for every society. Hence, it is not only through the government does society constrain liberty but also through tradition practice by society. Sometimes these two forces work hand in hand to allow an individual to act in certain ways not harmful to society. Again, these practices are what the majority have instilled for others to follow based on previous experiences. In a way, it is a progression towards a more civilized society. Conclusion John Stuart Mill’s constraints to liberty are significantly realistic for a workable society. It is not an outdated issue but is a relevant factor in the current implementation of individual liberty. He discussed three factors that put constraints to liberty which are the role of government, freedom of expression, curtailing actions of unpopular views, and the pressure put by society to individual liberty. These factors coordinate with each other to put constraints to the liberty of individuals that might create imbalance to society through chaos and disintegration. The government’s authority is needed to limit individual freedom of its citizens by helping them abide the laws it implements. However, its authority should not be used to curtail one’s freedom of expression which is a key ingredient in a democratic society. On the other hand, it must prevent physical harm to others and the community by disallowing inappropriate actions of unpopular beliefs of its citizens. Also, society through its tradition and government laws can help citizens of a country act in an orderly manner so as not to harm others. In the end, it allows for a society that is livable and workable. Therefore, Mill’s ideas on the constraints to liberty are happening currently in our society. Australia itself is an illustration of the implementation of his ideas as discussed above. It is exist now at its current state by exactly implementing the constraints that Mill discussed in his book. Hopefully it will progress to a much better society in the future just as what Mill envisions a society should be. References 1. Mill, J.S. On Liberty. Harvard Classics, Volume 25, 109, P.F. Collier & Son. http://www.constitution.org/jsm/liberty.htm. [7 September 2007]. 2. Parliament of Australia Education Office. The Parliamentary System. http://www.aph.gov.au/parl.htm#parlsys. [11 September 2007]. 3. Humphry, Aborigines-Western Australia Criminal Justice System. Volume 2, Number 1, 1995. http://www.murdoch.edu.au/elaw/issues/v2n1/humphry21.html. [ 11 September 2007]. Read More