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Considerations on Representative Government (Ideas for Life) Kindle Edition

by John Stuart Mill (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
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In "Considerations on Representative Government," John Stuart Mill explores the ideals and challenges of democratic governance. Advocating for a system that balances the need for leadership with the principle of individual liberty, Mill delves into the intricacies of political participation, representation, and the education of the electorate. He argues for proportional representation and the inclusion of women and minorities in the voting process. Mill's visionary work remains a cornerstone in political theory, championing a government that truly reflects the will and welfare of the people.
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  1. Print length
    161 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Interactive Media
  5. Publication date
    April 15, 2016
  6. File size
    1277 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07F2HNP2W
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Interactive Media (April 15, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 15, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1277 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 161 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
57 global ratings
Review is for formatting, not content
3 Stars
Review is for formatting, not content
This review is for the printed book. I am not sure what the idea was for the formatting, but the page is very full--almost zero margins, especially at the inner crease. It's very hard to read for that reason. I think possibly you would be better off with a printed copy from a free online book than this one.
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Top reviews from the United States

Loren D Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars repesentative Government
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2012
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This is a very good book It ought to be a primjer for high school students! More adults should read this as it will refresh you memory of the responsibilities of the people and those elected to represent us. This has some very profound thoughts on where a country will end up and why the type of govnment will be what you deserve. We MUST stop the backsliding and me first attitude that currently prevails in our great country if we want it to continue!
6 people found this helpful
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David Peebles
4.0 out of 5 stars Tough, but good
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2013
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Like all of Mill's work, it can be tough sledding, but it is worth it, particularly in this age of stupid sophistic political blather. It is helpful to know something about British politics of the mid-19th century, but not necessary.

It may also help some folks to read some 19th century prose as a warm-up exercise. Moby Dick, for instance, or The Scarlett Letter or maybe even The Dred Scott Decision.
4 people found this helpful
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Cintinative
3.0 out of 5 stars Review is for formatting, not content
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
This review is for the printed book. I am not sure what the idea was for the formatting, but the page is very full--almost zero margins, especially at the inner crease. It's very hard to read for that reason. I think possibly you would be better off with a printed copy from a free online book than this one.
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Cintinative
3.0 out of 5 stars Review is for formatting, not content
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2021
This review is for the printed book. I am not sure what the idea was for the formatting, but the page is very full--almost zero margins, especially at the inner crease. It's very hard to read for that reason. I think possibly you would be better off with a printed copy from a free online book than this one.
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B Leyden
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good evaluation of "government" even considering his high reputation
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2018
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Surprisingly good evaluation of "government" even considering his high reputation. In particular, he has been unfairly maligned for this work in that read in context, it is not as some have argued a defense of colonialism.
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Max M. Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars Mill's defense of slavery is in this book.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2013
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John Stuart Mill is always good, often wrong, but still good thinking. I especially enjoy his defense of slavery, a typical utilitarian argument found in government prose, today. In short, the argument is that I must compel people to do things for their own good. And morality requires that I do so.
4 people found this helpful
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Lady Socrates
4.0 out of 5 stars More contemporary...
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2016
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I enjoy reading Mill as a more contemporary take on how to address/approach human affairs. He's not profound, but well grounded.
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Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars Every American should read this
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2014
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Americans need to learn more about their government and where the roots of our government lay. A good read and counterpart to Alexis de'Toqueriville's Democracy in America.
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Jeff
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2015
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Must Read
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Thomis
4.0 out of 5 stars Considerations on Representative Government
Reviewed in France on February 14, 2024
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This title refers to a book written by British philosopher and political theorist John Stuart Mill. Published in 1861, this work explores the principles and practicalities of representative democracy. In it, Mill discusses various aspects of representative government, including the balance between individual liberty and state authority, the role of elected representatives, the importance of public participation in politics, and the potential pitfalls of majority rule. Mill's insights continue to be influential in political philosophy and discussions on democracy and governance.
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Dr Richard L Peacocke
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2017
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Good primer.
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Prateek Sachan
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on July 7, 2015
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Great book
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Evangel
3.0 out of 5 stars Considérations sur le Gouvernement Représentatif
Reviewed in France on February 15, 2024
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Découvrez "Considérations sur le Gouvernement Représentatif" avec cette édition en français. Plongez dans les réflexions profondes de John Stuart Mill sur la nature et les principes du gouvernement représentatif. Dans cet ouvrage influent, Mill explore les fondements de la démocratie et examine les défis et les possibilités liés à la représentation politique. Avec une analyse rigoureuse et des arguments convaincants, ce livre offre une perspective éclairante sur les institutions démocratiques et leur fonctionnement. Préparez-vous à être stimulé par cette exploration fascinante des principes démocratiques et des idéaux de gouvernance.
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Derek Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars No introduction but worth reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2011
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There is no introduction and few notes but at this Kindle price one cannot complain. What one does have is the text of an important book. Please note that the two other critical reviews here are for a quite different paperback version by another publisher.

There are three related principal themes in "Representative Government":
1. The application of the principles of utilitarianism to government.
2. To reconcile the competing claims of efficient government and the popular voice.
3. To combat the danger of the "tyranny of the majority".
Mill's version of utilitarianism stressed "the permanent interests of man as a progressive being". Hence Mill says that the first question to ask is whether a form of government develops the desirable moral and intellectual qualities of the citizens. Mill believed that "active" rather than "passive" people create human progress, and political institutions should foster active citizens, and this is best done by giving (almost) everyone the vote. This included women, which earned him a mixture of mirth and hostility from contemporaries. He also favoured local government, and welcomed citizen participation on juries.

Though Mill wanted citizens to have the vote he did not want them to play too important a role. He was opposed to direct democracy, and favoured representative government because it enabled him to reconcile bureaucratic expertise with the popular voice. As in "On Liberty" Mill insists on the importance of the elite, and he recommends a Committee of Grievances and a Congress of Opinions which should be responsible for neither legislation nor administration. It should act as a sort of check on government without trying to control it. Parliament must not select members of the Cabinet, and civil servants must be recruited via competitive exams.

In discussing the electoral system Mill reveals his concern with the dangers of a "tyranny of the majority" and advocated Hare system of STV which achieves the most accurate possible representation of public opinion according to its numerical strength. Mill justified the Hare system on the grounds of representing minorities, but it is clear that the minority he was primarily concerned with was the educated elite, and Mill believed the Hare system would give more representation to this elite than other electoral systems.

The elite would be bolstered by plural voting. Mill said that though everybody should have a voice it did not mean they should have an equal voice. Extra votes were to be allocated to people based on educational achievement, but Mill was writing before universal education so in the meantime bosses should have more votes than employees (because they had to think more in their duties) and foremen should have more votes than those under them. Mill acknowledged this was a somewhat hit-and-miss temporary expedient. Today he would no doubt give an extra votes for passing exams at 16, and then 18, and then at degree level.

In the novel "In the Wet" Nevil Shute was to give an alternative case for plural voting, with extra votes earned not only be education but also by military service, travel and a special extra one for exceptional public service. In practice plural voting was abolished in the UK in 1948.

Since Mill's time representative government has become the dominant form of government in the advanced world, but plural voting has been abolished everywhere and only the Israeli electoral system comes close to the mirror image of the electorate achieved by the full Hare system. Were Mill to return now I suspect he would be relieved that his worst fears over a "tyranny of the majority" have not come to pass but would be concerned that politicians are more concerned with popular policies than good policies.
6 people found this helpful
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