Father Faceoff: Burke and Mill Debate on Various Aspects of Politics

Burke and J.S. Mill are two of the most influential and studied men in both conservatism and liberalism respectfully. The two did have some subjects on which they did not simply agree and yet some subjects both of their ideas seem to go hand in hand. Representative government was one that they both clearly talked and wrote about. According to Burke there were two types of representation: virtual and agency. In A virtual representative government (trustee), the people rely on the representative and his benefit of knowledge and judgment. While in the agency representation (delegate), the representative follows the opinion of the public.

John Stuart Mill followed closer to the lines of agency representation. He did want a government that that would not abuse its powers and coincide with the interests of the community as a whole. In this case then, government could not represent a minority class, as in Aristotle's mixed government. Rather, a "representative democracy renders interests to people and government 'perfectly' and identically."

On the freedom of speech Mill was a strong advocate while Burke was a little more apprehensive. Mill said "good speech drives out bad," and that "no opinion if infallible." Opinions should be voiced according to Mill, right or wrong, because even if at that time the opinion or thought is incorrect, it could teach us more than an opinion that is right. "Both teachers and learners go to sleep at their posts, as soon as there is no enemy in the field."

Burke on the other hand, along with his views on private property is slow to recognize the freedom of speech as a solid right. According to Burke, institutions give natural rights to us and the community confers those rights. Destroying these institutions would remove us from society and eliminate the judge in which all men need. We have the freedom of speech and private property, but it is supplied to us.

Mill feels that private property is the chief source of pleasure for a man. Going back to government, the best form Mill would say is the government that ensured the rights to property. The best way to be happy is to hold property and the according to the greatest happiness principle, the greatest happiness should belong to the greatest amount of people, and the best way to supply that happiness is to provide them with property.