John Stuart Mill, Socialist

John Stuart Mill, a canonical figure in liberalism, self-described as a Socialist in the mid-1840s. Helen McCabe explores his core commitments to egalitarianism, social justice, social harmony, and a socialist utopia of cooperation, fairness, and human flourishing. She argues that Mill saw liberal reforms as solutions to contemporary problems, while socialism was the path to a better future. Her book offers a radical rereading of Mill's political theory and a fresh perspective on contemporary meanings of socialism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 15 March 2021
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

John Stuart Mill, a renowned liberal thinker, is often associated with his influential work "On Liberty." However, in his autobiography, he identified himself as a Socialist in the mid-1840s. Helen McCabe delves into Mill's political economy and explores his core commitments to egalitarianism, social justice, social harmony, and a socialist utopia of cooperation, fairness, and human flourishing. McCabe reveals how Mill's changing relationship with his radicalism of his youth and his excitement about the revolutionary events of 1848 shaped his political theory. She argues that Mill saw liberal reforms as solutions to contemporary problems, while socialism was the path to a better future. McCabe's reinterpretation of Mill's work sheds new light on his theory of social progress, support for democracy, feminism, concept of utility, understanding of individuality, and his account of the permanent interests of man as a progressive being, which is central to his famous harm principle. In the wake of financial crises, climate change, and a global pandemic, Mill's perspective on socialism offers a radical rereading of the philosopher and a fresh perspective on contemporary meanings of socialism.

Weight: 546g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228005742