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Why can different assumptions about human nature lead utilitarians to support different forms of government?

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Jeremy Bentham: auto-icon — Utilitarianism English philosopher and economist Jeremy Bentham's preserved skeleton in his own clothes and surmounted by a wax head, at University College London.

In utilitarian political philosophy, the assessment of the "best" government depends on which system produces the most favorable consequences, a calculation that relies heavily on factual premises regarding human nature and behavior. Because utilitarians hold different views on these fundamental traits, they often reach divergent conclusions about the ideal form of government.1

For instance, if one assumes that humans are primarily driven by selfish interests and that political stability is fragile, a utilitarian might argue for a strong, authoritarian or conservative government to maintain order. Conversely, philosophers like William Godwin assumed the basic goodness of human nature, leading them to advocate for anarchism as the path to the greatest happiness.1

Most utilitarians, however, have supported democracy. They argue that democratic processes align the interests of the government with the general interest and protect individual liberty, operating on the assumption that individuals are generally the best judges of their own welfare. These differing conclusions illustrate that utilitarianism is not a rigid political doctrine but a flexible framework that adapts based on the underlying assumptions one makes about human character.1