Democracy in the Thought of John Stuart Mill: A Study of Its Philosophical Foundations and Political Dimensions.

Abstract

This study, entitled “Democracy in the Thought of John Stuart Mill: A Study of Its Philosophical Foundations and Theoretical Framework” examines the problem of reconciling individual liberty with the public good within a reformist liberal framework. The study highlights Mill’s attempt to develop utilitarianism beyond its purely quantitative dimension toward a qualitative distinction between pleasures, while still maintaining happiness as the fundamental criterion for moral and political evaluation.

The research aims to clarify the distinctive nature of Mill’s conception of democracy through three main sections. The first discusses the conceptual foundations of democracy and its intellectual context in Mill’s thought, alongside an exposition of utilitarianism. The second explores the ethical and social dimensions of democracy in relation to the connection between individual and collective interests, as well as the idea of political reform. The third section focuses on the institutional structure of the democratic system, including forms of government, the criteria of good governance, and representative government.

The study adopts an analytical approach in order to examine the concepts of liberty, authority, and democracy in Mill’s philosophy, while also employing historical and critical methods to evaluate his arguments and reveal their limitations.

The research concludes that Mill’s ideas constitute an important foundation for liberal democracy, while also emphasizing the need for continuous critical reassessment in order to maintain a balance between liberty and justice, strengthen political participation, protect rights, and limit the dangers of despotism. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the possibility of developing Mill’s democratic vision through the incorporation of social justice and cultural diversity, as well as by reducing the influence of wealth and political power on public life, thereby enhancing trust in i