qwerty

The worth of a state, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it; and a State which postpones the interests of their mental expansion and elevation, to a little more of administrative skill, or that semblance of it which practice gives, in the details of business; a State which dwarfs its men, in order that they may be more docile instruments in its hands even for beneficial purposes, will find that with small men no great thing can really be accomplished; and that the perfection of machinery to which it has sacrificed everything, will in the end avail to nothing, for want of the vital power which, in order that the machine might work more smoothly; it has preferred to banish. (Mill 119)
Mill is convincing. Many times have I heard that the worth and power of something corresponds directly to the pieces that make it up. These pieces, the people of our nation, need opportunity. Mill talked about how it was up to each generation to prepare the future generation and I believe that doing this is morally right. The greatest thinkers and doers may have never been so had they not been assisted by the more experienced individuals. Furthermore, these people may have never unlocked any new knowledge had they been confined to ignorance and censorship. Mill makes good points throughout the readings and I believe that this philosophy in reference to the responsibility and accountability of government and the people is most valuable.