7. In the introduction to the essay Stuart Mill states:
“Despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement, and the means justified by actually effecting that end. Liberty, as a principle, has no application to any state of things anterior to the time when mankind have become capable of being improved by free and equal discussion. Until then, there is nothing for them but implicit obedience to an Akbar or a Charlemagne, if they are so fortunate as to find one. But as soon as mankind has attained the capacity of being guided by conviction or persuasion, compulsion, either in the direct form or in that of pains and penalties for non – compliance, is no longer admissible as a means to their own good, and justifiable only for the security of others.”
Mill, J. S. (
1993)
Utilitarianism, On Liberty, Considerations on Representative Government, Remarks on Bentham's Philosophy, edited by
Williams, G. (
London:
Dent, Everyman's Library), p.
79.
Google Scholar