In his essays "Considerations on Representative Government" and "On Liberty," John Stuart Mill provides a compelling argument for representative democracy. The system he proposed achieves the necessary balance between the "philosopher kings" advocated by Plato and the directly democratic government based on the "general will" advocated by Rousseau. Mill believes that a system like Plato's is essentially the leadership of a "good despot". While it may be well intentioned, Mill believes that this system will never adequately respond to people's desires. And although it largely agrees with the principles of direct democracy advocated by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, it demonstrates that this is not achievable in a state system. Despite the aspects of Mill's proposal that concern me, what he presents is the vision of a real alternative. Mill's system might actually transcend the problems of merging utopian direct democracy with effective despotism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Mill's vision of government is that of an elected ruling body charged with making the laws of the state, the representatives who make up this body are chosen through a process of universal suffrage. All citizens have the right to vote, however not all citizens will get the same number of votes. Mill advocates a system known as plural voting; more educated people would receive more than one vote. Mill also hoped that every citizen would sooner or later be called to fill some civil service position. Finally, he supported a series of rights that protect the fundamental freedoms of all and prevent a "tyranny of the majority". (On Liberty, ch. 1, Considerations on Representative Government, November 6 lecture) Mill believes that a government governed by the general public is the only way to safeguard the interests and liberty of all citizens. He bases this on the claim that people generally act in their own self-interest. Therefore, any government that does not give everyone a role in its administration will act only in the interests of the governors themselves. (Considerations) Rousseau and other supporters of direct democracy share this opinion. They call for a system in which all laws are enacted by popular vote. (The Social Contract) Plato argues that the general population is not intelligent or responsible enough to handle decisions affecting state affairs. It calls for an elite class known as the "guardians" to legislate based on moralistic considerations. (La Repubblica) In representative democracy both considerations are taken into account. People choose representatives who will fight for issues they deem beneficial to their self-interest. These representatives are obliged to vote on their behalf when laws are enacted due to the need for their re-election. This prevents governors from acting in their own interests; if they are judged to be so, they will be removed from power. While there are no safeguards to ensure that only intelligent people are elected, it is difficult to avoid this impacting the competitive nature of the electoral process. Mill's system creates a small ruling group of intelligent individuals much like Plato's, however these rulers are accountable to the people and at their mercy. The plural voting method advocated by Mill also has merit, but is more problematic. Mill believes that this system will help ensure that intelligent decisions are made because highly educated people.