What is the biggest threat to freedom according to: a) Mill, b) Rousseau, c) Marx, and d) Locke?

Answer 1

a. Mill: the tyranny of the majority presents the greatest threat to freedom for Mill since it does not take into consideration the rights of minorities which are equally worth representing in a free society that is aimed at self-improvement.

b. Rousseau: the growing corruption and inequalities in society are perceived to be most dangerous to freedom by Rousseau, who condemns things like private property, for increasing disparities between people and causing them to lose their individual freedom, as well as the pressure to conform to social and cultural norms, which draws individuals away from their authentic selves.

c. Marx: capitalism poses the greatest threat to freedom for Marx since it ultimately creates and sustains class struggle between the bourgeoisie, who wield all political and economic power, and the proletariat, or the workers, who are slaves to a system which only robs them of their human dignity.

d. Locke: for Locke, despotism is the ultimate threat to freedom. Since governments are instilled to protect the unalienable rights of their constituents, their failure to do so undermines the purpose of their establishment and effectively places the rights of every individual in jeopardy.