John Stuart Mill

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the profound political theory of John Stuart Mill, which created the foundation of democracy as we know it. It describes the society Mill had imagined. The author argues that the current society has made a mockery of individual rights and liberties, and states that the authorities must have more control over the individual.

From the Paper:

"John Stuart Mill wrote that the individual's rights and liberties should be recognized and respected by society, with only marginal control. While he acquiesced that the individual must return something for the benefits and protection he receives from society, society's authority should be enforced when the individual violates the law or injures the rights of others. He was emphatic about the individuals' being allowed to extend himself as fully as possible and society's restraining itself in the individuals' assertion of his personal choices. He derived his position on the fallibility of society and that nonconformist way would keep society on its toes to keep progressing and remaining alert."

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