John Stuart Mill

Question 1

Book?

Answer 1

• On liberty (1859)
• Provided bridge between classical and modern liberalism

Question 2

Human nature?

Answer 2

• Though fundamentally rational, human nature is not fixed: it is forever progressing
• Divided human action into ‘self-regarding’ and ‘other-regarding’
• The former (involving religious worship) didnt impinge on the freedom of others and should be tolerated
• The latter (invoking violent behaviour) harmed freedom and should’t be tolerated

Question 3

The state?

Answer 3

• The state should proceed cautiously towards representative democracy mindful of minority rights
• Mills destinction between ‘individualism’ and ‘individuality’ would have a large impact on how he approached democracy
• Concerned that the timeless liberal principle of ‘govt by consent’ would be comprimised if the wishes of some individual citizzens were overwhelmed by the majority

Question 4

Society?

Answer 4

• The best society was one where ‘individuality’ co-existed with tolerance and self-improvement
• Mill didn’t just want to liberate individuals as they were of present
• He thought about what individuals could become
• ‘negative freedom’ - the abscence of restraint

Question 5

Economy?

Answer 5

Lassiez-faire capitalism was vital to progress individual enterprise and individual initative