Mill and Foucault both use the concept of freedom and liberty in their writings to demonstrate the different power dynamics. Mill has a distinct perspective of social tyranny among a liberal structure. Foucault explains the ways in which we facilitate and enforce power through discourse. While their two views give a different lens of power, I would argue that they give a similar perspective on the ways in which a collective society maintains power. Both Mill and Foucault establish a critical view of freedom. Liberalism is deceitful in that it allows the illusion of freedom through society’s exercise of power.
For John Stuart Mill, freedom iswas understood as liberty, and by liberty, the idea was protection against tyranny. Prior to the introduction …show more content…
Mill’s liberal view focuses on the Harm Principle that emphasizes that actions of individuals should only be limited once they begin to harm others. Mill states, “ the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others” (40R). This view comes from a utilitarian perspective that which brings the greatest amount of happiness to the greatest amount of people. Mill tries to produce the highest form of liberty for each individual while maintaining order among the …show more content…
Liberalism, according to Mill, iscan be divided into three types. The first is the liberty of thought and opinion, the second being liberty of tastes and pursuits, and lastly, liberty to join like-minded individuals. While these liberties may give freedom to individuals in a society, they negate society’s propensity to compel compliance. These forms of liberty reinforce the power of the people yet with these forms in place there is room for democratic social tyranny by the majority. Mill states, “ Society can and does execute its own mandates: and if it issues wrong mandates instead of right, or any mandates at all in things with which it ought not to meddle, it practices a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression...” (36R). He explains that social tyranny is greater than the political atmosphere. Mill then goes on to state that there is a penalty when the minority does not secede to the majority it will prevent any form of individuality. There is a clash between collective opinion and individual independence by society. Though liberalism seeks to establish a “fair” agenda, its practice does not protect the minority’s
For John Stuart Mill, freedom iswas understood as liberty, and by liberty, the idea was protection against tyranny. Prior to the introduction …show more content…
Mill’s liberal view focuses on the Harm Principle that emphasizes that actions of individuals should only be limited once they begin to harm others. Mill states, “ the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others” (40R). This view comes from a utilitarian perspective that which brings the greatest amount of happiness to the greatest amount of people. Mill tries to produce the highest form of liberty for each individual while maintaining order among the …show more content…
Liberalism, according to Mill, iscan be divided into three types. The first is the liberty of thought and opinion, the second being liberty of tastes and pursuits, and lastly, liberty to join like-minded individuals. While these liberties may give freedom to individuals in a society, they negate society’s propensity to compel compliance. These forms of liberty reinforce the power of the people yet with these forms in place there is room for democratic social tyranny by the majority. Mill states, “ Society can and does execute its own mandates: and if it issues wrong mandates instead of right, or any mandates at all in things with which it ought not to meddle, it practices a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression...” (36R). He explains that social tyranny is greater than the political atmosphere. Mill then goes on to state that there is a penalty when the minority does not secede to the majority it will prevent any form of individuality. There is a clash between collective opinion and individual independence by society. Though liberalism seeks to establish a “fair” agenda, its practice does not protect the minority’s