Educating Liberty: Democracy and Aristocracy in J.S. Mill's Political Thought
A comprehensive study of Mill's theory of liberty, uncovering Mill's solution to the problem of democracy, the tyranny of the majority

Alexis de Tocqueville famously identified the problem of democracy as the "tyranny of the majority," where the rule of the majority oppresses or marginalizes minorities and individuals. John Stuart Mill, perhaps more than any other liberal thinker, attempted to find a solution to this problem. In this study of Mill's political theory, Chris Barker shows how Mill's civic education transforms individuals into citizens who are free to form opinions, analyze arguments, and wield a power capable of moderating the irresponsible power of the ruling majority. Barker examines Mill's thought as it is applied to five prominent components of democratic life-marriage, economic participation, scientific expertise, representative politics, and religion-with particular emphasis on gender and economic reform. Barker concludes that Mill's interpretation of liberty is not well described as either negative or positive. Instead, liberty consists in the mental independence or thinking power of the educated individuals composing and challenging majorities.

CHRIS BARKER is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the American Universityin Cairo.
1128831030
Educating Liberty: Democracy and Aristocracy in J.S. Mill's Political Thought
A comprehensive study of Mill's theory of liberty, uncovering Mill's solution to the problem of democracy, the tyranny of the majority

Alexis de Tocqueville famously identified the problem of democracy as the "tyranny of the majority," where the rule of the majority oppresses or marginalizes minorities and individuals. John Stuart Mill, perhaps more than any other liberal thinker, attempted to find a solution to this problem. In this study of Mill's political theory, Chris Barker shows how Mill's civic education transforms individuals into citizens who are free to form opinions, analyze arguments, and wield a power capable of moderating the irresponsible power of the ruling majority. Barker examines Mill's thought as it is applied to five prominent components of democratic life-marriage, economic participation, scientific expertise, representative politics, and religion-with particular emphasis on gender and economic reform. Barker concludes that Mill's interpretation of liberty is not well described as either negative or positive. Instead, liberty consists in the mental independence or thinking power of the educated individuals composing and challenging majorities.

CHRIS BARKER is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the American Universityin Cairo.
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Educating Liberty: Democracy and Aristocracy in J.S. Mill's Political Thought

Educating Liberty: Democracy and Aristocracy in J.S. Mill's Political Thought

by Chris Barker
Educating Liberty: Democracy and Aristocracy in J.S. Mill's Political Thought

Educating Liberty: Democracy and Aristocracy in J.S. Mill's Political Thought

by Chris Barker

Hardcover

$115.00 
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Overview

A comprehensive study of Mill's theory of liberty, uncovering Mill's solution to the problem of democracy, the tyranny of the majority

Alexis de Tocqueville famously identified the problem of democracy as the "tyranny of the majority," where the rule of the majority oppresses or marginalizes minorities and individuals. John Stuart Mill, perhaps more than any other liberal thinker, attempted to find a solution to this problem. In this study of Mill's political theory, Chris Barker shows how Mill's civic education transforms individuals into citizens who are free to form opinions, analyze arguments, and wield a power capable of moderating the irresponsible power of the ruling majority. Barker examines Mill's thought as it is applied to five prominent components of democratic life-marriage, economic participation, scientific expertise, representative politics, and religion-with particular emphasis on gender and economic reform. Barker concludes that Mill's interpretation of liberty is not well described as either negative or positive. Instead, liberty consists in the mental independence or thinking power of the educated individuals composing and challenging majorities.

CHRIS BARKER is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the American Universityin Cairo.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781580469227
Publisher: BOYDELL & BREWER INC
Publication date: 11/15/2018
Pages: 276
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Chris Barker is assistant professor of political science at the American University in Cairo.

Table of Contents

Introduction: An Educated Life
Aristocracy of Sex
Industrial Aristocracy
Expertocracy
Mass and Elite Politics
Democratic Religion
Conclusion and Applications
List of Abbreviations
Notes
Index
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