On Liberty
John Stuart Millunfortunately opposed to the misnamed doctrine of Philosophical Necessity; but Civil, or Social Liberty: the nature and limits of the power
which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual. A
question seldom stated, and hardly ever discussed, in general terms, but
which profoundly influences the practical controversies of the age by its
latent presence, and is likely soon to make itself recognised as the vital
question of the future. It is so far from being new, that, in a certain
sense, it has divided mankind, almost from the remotest ages; but in the
stage of progress into which the more civilised portions of the species
have now entered, it presents itself under new conditions, and requires a
different and more fundamental treatment.
The struggle between Liberty and Authority is the most conspicuous feature in the portions of history with which we are earliest familiar,
particularly in that of Greece, Rome, and England. But in old times this
contest was between subjects, or some classes of subjects, and the Government. By liberty, was meant protection against the tyranny of the
political rulers. The rulers were conceived (except in some of the popular governments of Greece) as in a necessarily antagonistic position to
the people whom they ruled. They consisted of a governing One, or a
governing tribe or caste, who derived their authority from inheritance or
conquest, who, at all events, did not hold it at the pleasure of the governed, and whose supremacy men did not venture, perhaps did not desire, to contest, whatever precautions might be taken against its oppressive exercise. Their power was regarded as necessary, but also as highly
dangerous; as a weapon which they would attempt to use against their
subjects, no less than against external enemies. To prevent the weaker
members of the community from being preyed upon by innumerable
vultures, it was needful that
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