ISABEL DE ALMEIDA BRAND

Our objective is to characterize, based on the analysis of John Stuart Mill's three main political works—On Liberty, Considerations on Representative Government, and Utilitarianism—the controversy raised by his interpreters regarding the democratic credentials of the British philosopher. We aim to study the tension between the popular and elitist elements present in Mill's democratic theory. We will particularly examine: the emphasis on the participation of individuals endowed with genius in shaping public opinion; the influence of competent experts in institutionalized decision-making processes; and the defense of individuality and self-determination as the moral development of society.