Mill's Patriot Act

Mill's Patriot Act

In addressing the object of his essay, Mill states that the “sole end for which mankind are warranted individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” (p 12). Mill, in his thoughts towards the likings and disliking of a society, or more so towards the government or leaders by which control that society, has come across a very important idea especially in today’s society. Being one who likes to compare our classic author’s with our modern day society, the passage above made me think of one thing in particular: the Patriot Act. We are all entitled to liberty, Mill states that we, or society have this sense of social liberty where, “the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercises by society over the individual.” (P 3). Now, in our modern times, we are constantly reminded of the fear and danger that lurks around the corner. We live in a country of three hundred million, and it seems as though we do have that sense of liberty, to a certain extent. On September 11, 2001, we gave up some of that liberty. The patriot act was introduced into action on October 26^th, 2001. The act has had the description of “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act.” At this time, Mill sense of liberty was interrupted. The purpose for which this power was obtained was to protect other Americans from any sort of danger, and in Mill’s words “is to prevent harm to others”. I wonder then, at what point does this end? At what point can we state that all of our Liberty is being attacked? The patriot act allows access to bank accounts, voice mail records, personal files. The act has the right to deport, and arrest at any given point. I wonder though, what Mill would think of this? We read, “Despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement, and the means justified by actually effecting the end”(13). Does this statement give the right to a government or leader, in today’s America, to act in a repressive way in order to protect the citizens from a modern day barbarian (terrorist)? Mill finds it important to note the fact that peoples inactions are a cause to evil, and that the idea of pursuing and doing as we wish and like is key for the success of this country. With looming threats everyday, and the ability to relinquish our freedom, does the patriot act, and any other government program that limits the rights of it’s citizens still keep that liberty sacred? At what point can we say that our rights are being unjustly tampered with? Finally, what would Mill say of this act?

Word count (507)