1. Atrocities of the State

2. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) English Industrial Revolution
Advanced utilitarianism

3. J.S. Mill, On Liberty According to Mill, what drives human beings?
Reason
Self-interests
Prejudices or superstitions
Social/antisocial affections
Attitudes and emotions
Prejudices, superstitions, feelings of class superiority, etc.
Envy, jealousy, arrogance, desire, fear, etc.
Rules of conduct
By governments, rulers
Religious

4. J.S. Mill, On Liberty Thought/feeling
What are the principles of the sphere of action where individuals have freedom?
Thought/feeling
In thinking, in speaking in public
Actions
Can’t harm selves or others
Assembly
Meet, discuss ideas

5. J.S. Mill, On Liberty Fears tyranny of the majority
Run by opinion, one person’s preference, lacking reason
Majority ends up thinking the same thing
If liberties are denied, then ≠ freedom
Fears censorship
Objective: Greatest freedom possible in society
Protect individualism (self-protection)
Protect minority opinion
Promote tolerance
Promote pluralism

6. J.S. Mill, On Liberty Where to draw the line?
What problems arise when human beings pursue their liberties (based on what drives them) and a sphere of action within a society?
Where to draw the line?
Who gets to draw the line?
How to protect the line?
In sum- How to govern?
Protect freedom, but minimize harm
Views dilemma as a ‘legal cage’
Where freedom begins and the law ends

7. Artists’ Reactions

8. “Gate” Htein Lin, 4/4/00

9. “War and Peace” Htein Lin, 12/21/03

10. “58th Birthday” Htein Lin, 6/19/03

11. “Throne of Weapons” Kester 2001

12. “Tree of Life” Kester, et al 2004

13. “Find the Words” Khalid Albaih 3/16/15

14. “The Syrian Problem” Khalid Albaih, 10/15/12

15. “Super Mario, Asylum Stage” Samir Al-Mufti, 9/8/15
The designer explains

16. Beyond Rangoon and Death & the Maiden
Political Messages
Military junta; dictatorship
Forcing tyranny of majority by a minority
Oppression
Instilling paranoia, using torture, quashing protests
Question what is just?
Closed media
Effects of foreign influence
How people deal with atrocities committed by state
Resistance, apathy
Difficulty of healing

17. Artists’ Reactions to the State
What themes, concepts, etc. connect these art(ist)s?
Legitimacy of power
Torture
Oppression
Rule of law
Colonization
Burma/Myanmar, Mozambique, Syria
Geo-political struggles
L.A. country, Burma/Myanmar, Syria
Corruption

18. Artists’ Reactions to the State
How are the mediums significant?
Reach an audience
Accessibility
Ease in dissemination
Cost of using the medium
Available medium
Lin
Medium itself as a statement
Kester
Al-Mufti
Assert agency

19. Recap: Applying Mill
Mill’s concerns: where, how, and who to draw/protect the line.
Fears tyranny of the majority
Fears oppression of liberties/freedoms