Chapter 7: Liberalism and empire: J.S. Mill Flashcards
For Mill, what are the two threats to individual freedom?
First, there is the ‘tyranny of government’
Second, there is the ‘tyranny of majority’
Under what conditions is one state allowed to intervene in the domestic affairs of another state?
Cases of protracted civil war where there are ‘severities repugnant to humanity’ and – most notoriously – in ‘dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement’
What are Mill’s four stages of humankind?
Savagism, slavery, barbarism and modern civilisation
How can nations achieve civilisational development?
Either through the leadership of a person of extraordinary genius, or through the governance of a culturally superior power.
What should the relationship between civilised and barbarian states look like according to Mill?
Relations between civilised and barbarian states ought to be based on hierarchy and ‘benevolent despotism’.
In short, states that are not fully civilised are not yet ready for self-determination and should hence be governed by outside force until they have reached that stage of development.
Are Mill’s commitment to liberal principles of individuality and freedom entwined?
Jahn (2005), for example, maintains that ‘There is not a single step in his argument about domestic politics in which his philosophy of history represented through the barbarians does not play a crucial role. Indeed, the barbarian is civilisation’s historical self, its contemporary other, its internal other and its future self.’
Was liberalism used to justify colonialism?
In questioning narratives that depict the British Empire as a harbinger of freedom and liberalism, they show how liberal arguments often functioned: not to oppose, but to legitimise colonial rule.
Duncan Bell (2015), Jennifer Pitts (2009) and Uday Singh Mehta (1999)
What is benevolent despotism?
Mill believed that colonial administrators should act as enlightened despots, imposing Western values and institutions on colonized peoples for their own benefit. He argued that imperialism could be justified if it led to the improvement of the lives of colonized populations, albeit under the guidance of Western authorities.
Did Mill support all acts committed under colonialism?
Despite his support for a form of paternalistic imperialism, Mill also criticized coercive and oppressive forms of imperialism. He was critical of British colonial policies that infringed upon the rights and freedoms of colonized peoples, such as the suppression of local customs and traditions.
Mill’s critique of coercive imperialism reflects his commitment to liberal principles, including the importance of individual autonomy and the protection of basic rights and freedoms, even in colonial contexts.
What is Mill’s idea of civilisation?
Mill believed in the superiority of Western civilization and saw it as the pinnacle of human progress. He argued that Western societies had achieved greater levels of individual freedom, rationality, and prosperity compared to non-Western societies.
However, Mill’s concept of civilization was Eurocentric and reflected a bias towards Western values and institutions
What is Mill’s view on self-determination?
Mill’s views on self-determination were influenced by his belief in individual autonomy and self-development. He advocated for the right of individuals to pursue their own paths in life, free from external interference or coercion.
However, Mill’s support for self-determination was often limited to Western societies. He believed that non-Western societies lacked the necessary conditions for self-government and required guidance from more advanced Western powers to achieve self-determination.
What is Mill’s opinion on intervention?
Mill’s stance on intervention was characterized by a tension between his commitment to liberalism and his support for imperialistic policies.
He argued that Western powers had a moral obligation to intervene in the affairs of non-Western societies to promote civilization and uplift them from perceived backwardness.
He believed that such intervention should be conducted with the consent of the governed and should prioritize the welfare and self-determination of colonized peoples.
However, for civilised nations there was a policy of non-intervention
Critiques of Mill’s ideas on civilisation, self-determination, and intervention
Critics argue that Mill’s ideas about civilization, self-determination, and intervention were deeply flawed and reflected a paternalistic and ethnocentric worldview. His support for imperialism perpetuated colonial domination and justified the suppression of indigenous cultures and autonomy.
Mill’s notion of intervention often overlooked the agency and perspectives of colonized peoples, treating them as passive recipients of Western benevolence rather than active participants in their own destinies.
Mill’s emphasis on the superiority of Western civilization and the civilizing mission of imperialism has been criticized for legitimizing colonial exploitation and perpetuating racial hierarchies.
How has Mill influenced contemporary liberal IR theory?
Promotion of democracy: Mill’s emphasis on the benefits of democracy for individual flourishing and societal progress aligns with contemporary liberal views that democratic states tend to be more peaceful, stable, and respectful of human rights. As such, liberal IR theorists advocate for policies and interventions aimed at fostering democracy in authoritarian or unstable states.
Intervention and humanitarianism: Liberal IR theorists draw on Mill’s arguments about the harm principle and the prevention of tyranny to justify interventions aimed at stopping gross human rights violations, such as genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mass atrocities. They argue that interventions in such cases are justified on humanitarian grounds and to uphold universal moral principles.
Cosmopolitanism and global justice: Liberal IR theorists advocate for policies and institutions that promote global cooperation, human rights protection, and the pursuit of common goods. They draw on Mill’s writings to argue for the importance of global citizenship and solidarity in addressing transnational challenges such as climate change, poverty, and global inequality.
Individual freedom and non-interference: Mill’s defense of individual liberty and his critique of paternalistic authority continue to influence liberal arguments against authoritarianism and state repression.
What are characteristics of civilised nations?
Extension over a certain area and infrastructure - particularly roads
