Who said "The pure idea of democracy, according to its definition, is the government of the whole people by the whole people, equally represented."?

Correct option is C

The quote "The pure idea of democracy, according to its definition, is the government of the whole people by the whole people, equally represented." is attributed to John Stuart Mill, a renowned English philosopher and political economist. Mill’s works focused on liberty, utilitarianism, and political theory, and he was a staunch advocate for representative democracy.
In his writings, especially in his famous work On Liberty, Mill argued for the importance of individual freedoms and the active participation of individuals in the political process. His idea of democracy emphasized not only the rule of the majority but also the necessity for protecting minority rights. The idea of "equal representation" in this context aligns with Mill’s belief that democratic governance should allow all citizens to have an equal say, and political institutions should ensure fair representation of all people.
Explanation of options:
· (a) Laski: Harold Laski, though a well-known theorist, focused more on the role of the state in democracy, and the protection of rights, rather than the "pure" idea of democracy, as described in the question.
· (b) Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln is famous for his speech on democracy, but his famous "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is distinct from the idea presented in the quote.
· (c) J. S. Mill: John Stuart Mill is the correct attribution. Mill's emphasis was on democracy as a means of promoting individual liberty and equal participation, which fits the context of this quote.
· (d) Garner: This refers to George Garner, who did not make a significant statement aligning with the quote, especially in the context of pure democratic theory.
Information Booster:
· J. S. Mill is widely regarded for his contributions to political theory, especially his advocacy of representative government and individual freedoms.
· His concept of democracy was rooted in the idea of universal suffrage, but he also believed in safeguards to protect against the "tyranny of the majority," a term he coined to discuss how majority rule could suppress minority opinions.
· Mill was a proponent of proportional representation to ensure that every vote had equal weight in the electoral process, which is consistent with the idea of "equal representation" in democracy.