Representative Government by John Stuart Mill

A defesa da democracia representativa

John Stuart Mill's Representative Government is a classic work of political philosophy that argues for the superiority of representative democracy over other forms of government. Mill begins by arguing that the goal of government is to promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people. He then argues that representative democracy is the best way to achieve this goal because it allows for the widest possible participation in government and the greatest accountability of government officials.

Os princípios da democracia representativa

Mill identifies several principles that are essential to a well-functioning representative democracy. These principles include:

• Sufrágio universal: All citizens should have the right to vote, regardless of their wealth, social status, or gender.
• Eleições livres e justas: Elections should be held regularly and should be free from fraud and intimidation.
• Representação proporcional: The legislature should be composed of representatives who are elected in proportion to the number of votes they receive.
• Responsabilidade dos governantes: Government officials should be accountable to the people for their actions.

As vantagens da democracia representativa

Mill argues that representative democracy has several advantages over other forms of government. These advantages include:

• Maior participação: Representative democracy allows for the widest possible participation in government. This is because it allows citizens to elect representatives who share their views and who will represent their interests in the legislature.
• Maior responsabilidade: Representative democracy holds government officials accountable to the people. This is because government officials must stand for re-election and can be voted out of office if they do not perform their duties satisfactorily.
• Maior estabilidade: Representative democracy is more stable than other forms of government. This is because it provides a peaceful and orderly way for citizens to change their government.

As críticas à democracia representativa

Mill also acknowledges some of the criticisms that have been leveled against representative democracy. These criticisms include:

• A tirania da maioria: Representative democracy can lead to the tyranny of the majority, in which the interests of the minority are ignored or suppressed.
• A corrupção: Representative democracy can be corrupted by special interests, which can use their wealth and influence to buy elections and influence government policy.
• A apatia dos eleitores: Many citizens are apathetic about politics and do not participate in the democratic process. This can lead to a government that is not representative of the people.

A defesa de Mill da democracia representativa

Despite these criticisms, Mill argues that representative democracy is the best form of government available. He believes that the advantages of representative democracy outweigh the disadvantages and that it is the best way to promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people.

Conclusão

Representative Government is a powerful and persuasive defense of democracy. Mill's arguments are clear and concise, and he provides a wealth of evidence to support his claims. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy or the history of democracy.

Como comprar Representative Government

Representative Government is available in print and ebook formats from all major retailers. You can also find it online at the Internet Archive.