Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: An unresolved debate in Bentham scholarship concerns the question of the timing and circumstances which led to Bentham's 'conversion' to democracy, and thus to political radicalism. Given the importance of Bentham's thought in the history of radical politics in the nineteenth century-in Britain, Europe, and indeed elsewhere-the question of the inspiration for Bentham's own political radicalism is of more than biographical significance.
It is not disputed that in the early stages of the French Revolution, roughly from 1788 to 1792, Bentham composed material which appeared to justify equality of suffrage on utilitarian grounds. Most commentators, however, claim that the early period of the French Revolution was not the decisive moment in the development of Bentham's thought, though there are differing interpretations concerning the extent and depth of Bentham's commitment to democracy at this time. They agree that Bentham was initially attracted to democratic reform, in both France and Britain, but that from 1792, like many other members of his social class, he became afraid of the increasing disorder and violence within France. Not only did he reject popular government, he also came to oppose reform of the British Constitution. Apart from this brief flirtation with democratic politics, Bentham's real 'conversion' to radicalism occurred in 1808 or 1809. In contrast, Mary Mack argues that Bentham became intellectually committed to the cause of democracy in 1790. Following the Terror in the autumn of 1792 and the outbreak of war with Britain in early 1793, Bentham became politically quiescent, turning his attention to other projects. When he again began to compose material on parliamentary reform in 1809, he was expressing convictions which he had long held.