Analysis of John Stuart Mill’s Ideas in His "On Liberty"

“Mill on Liberty”

John Stuart Mill, a 19th century philosopher, was important in the development of creating more individual liberty for all citizens in England. Mill created several social reforms that closed the gap between the rich and the poor and allowed individual opportunity to grow in society. These reforms consisted of political reforms such as the 2nd reform bill, corn laws, free trade, and creating more rights for women. The writings by John Stuart Mill have been and still are viewed as a pathway to becoming an individual. Mill’s writing On Liberty, advocates individuality as important for the positive development of society. Individualism is seen as necessary to having a progressive society that is accepting of other thoughts and lifestyles. Mills progressive ideas can be applied to several aspects of society at this time. Mills beliefs on civil rights and legal equality, the economy and political power coincide with the idea that every individual should have the same equal opportunity. The laws of the society in Brittan did not allow the majority of society to represent themselves. Mill saw this as a weak society and implemented many ideas that enhanced liberalism in British society.

The economy in Brittan in this time period showed an immense amount of progress. The working industry was booming, and this was due to the new ideas of liberalism in society. Coal Production was nearly doubled, railways nearly doubled, and the amount of imported and exported goods rose a great amount. These improvements in the economy showed the rest of the word how ahead Brittan was from everyone. Britain was growing and developing at a vast rate, and the push for equality in the growing workforce was growing as well.

As the working class and the economy grew, many new model unions began to form. These unions were a better version of the old unions. The people in these unions were “skilled” workers and they knew that if they went on strike in a reasonable manner, without causing a havoc, that they would be able to achieve their goal. The development of new unions is a direct representation of how society was slowly beginning to fight for their individual rights. Society in this time was becoming more educated in what they deserved as individuals. British society is realizing that in order for society to grow they must focus on their individual rights in society, rather that society’s rights as a whole. In Mills writing this idea is confirmed when he states,” Having said the individuality is the same thing with development, and that it is only the cultivation of individuality which produces, or can produce, well developed human beings…” (Mill, p. 64). Society is attempting to better themselves in an individual basis and that is in return making society better as a whole. This leads into the next area that society continues to fight for more induvial rights. Education is another one of the main emphasis of this time period in Brittan. Before society began to push for equal schooling for men and women the majority of society was illiterate. The push for schools is one of the main reason’s men and women at this time were able to push for individualized rights. Because of the schooling that were receiving, Men and women were now capable of thinking for themselves rather than being told what is right and wrong within society. Education is one of the most important components of progress in any society. If the population is not being equally educated, there is no opportunity for improvement within society.

The political side of Brittan was evolving at a very rapid pace. Two of the main emphasis in politics at this time was free trade, and the expansion of the empire. One of the main supporters of free trade within Brittan was William Gladstone. Gladstone believed that free trade and minimal government intervention in the economy would allow for Brittan’s economy to improve and become more individualized. Gladstone introduced several influential ideas such as eliminating excise tax on paper, reducing income tax, and eliminated tariffs on 371 articles. One of the most influential reforms that Gladstone introduced was the 2nd reform bill. This bill is one of the most influential reforms in British history. Although Gladstone played a major role in the 2nd reform Act, the second reform act of 1867 was mainly the work of Disraeli. when Disraeli created the Bill he discretely placed in it an 'insurance policy', although the right to vote would be given to far more voter's in Liberal voting areas, they were still substantially under-represented, so the support of the working-class voters was not necessary. Once the 2nd reform bill went through Gladstone Became Leader of the Liberals and Disraeli became leader of the Tories. Several results came from this reform bill, the working class was now able to vote for themselves and they supported the liberals. The working class supported the liberals because the beliefs of the liberals at the time allowed the working class to have more say in the government. This was proven to be true once the 2nd reform bill was passed, and the majority of the working class could now have a say in government.

The main focus of Britain during this time was the empire and how the British could grow their empire. One of the main nations that Britain focused on was India. British rule and industrialization practices influenced the Indian culture, economy and culture in many helpful and damaging ways. The Imperial rule of the British completely disrupted the way of life and the culture of the Indians. Britain had intentions of going into India and colonizing the country and being a source of help for the Indians, but they were far from that. British rule in India became violent and disrespectful. It is ironic that during this time in Britain the lower and middle class of the nation was slowly gaining individual rights but in India where the British set out to colonize and help the Indians, Britain was doing more harm than good. The British placed all of their English laws and regulations upon the Indians and expected the Indians to drop their culture and ways of life and accept this new rule. This is described best in the article that reads,” The British had not only conquered India but had also, in the process of consolidating the power in the first half of the nineteenth century, violated all that was held sacred and dear to the people of India. ” (Past and Present, p. 128). The British constantly disregarded the Indian culture and forced their religion onto the Indians and this eventually resulted in a revolt led by the Indian rebels. The British had forced their beliefs onto this society and in result it backfired onto them in a negative way. Although Britain intimately still benefited from this revolt, it shows how determined the British were to expand their empire and implement their liberal and idealistic views on nations around them.

Mill’s Utilitarian views emphasize that women can be used effectively as members of society, not just in the domestic sphere, and that their potential within society should be capitalized upon. Mill’s essay “The Subjection of women” analyzes the basis of social ideas which encourage the subordination of women as the naturally and inherently weaker gender to show how this practice is wrong. Mills views on Women during this time are quite radical and seem outrageous at the time but, Mills views are necessary in order for society to move forward. The women’s movement is one of the most influential movements in British history. Just as the entre society is fighting for more individual rights, women are having to fight for more than just individual rights, they are having to fight for their voice in society. Before the women’s movement women at the time were expected to have children and keep the home. Women had no rights, they could not even divorcee their abusing husband. The new liberal ideas that were infiltrating society began to take full form in the women’s movement. This led to women fighting for education, new divorce laws, and more working positions. Mill emphasizes the shift into the modern era as the ideal time to honor the abilities of the individual and give women equal rights within the law. Therefore, “The Subjection of Women” expounds this notion by explaining the potential dangers of ignoring the feminine potential. Throughout both works, his views are consistent toward defending the individual, encouraging free thinking, and progressing society to a point past social prejudices.

Between the Years of 1841-1881 liberalism had a great effect on society in Britain. John Stuart Mills writing “On Liberty” gives a very insightful and radical account into how the new liberal ideas in society begin to take shape. The main two aspects that were the most greatly influenced by the new liberal ideas of the nation are politics and women’s rights. Politics in Britain took a huge turn during these years and it allowed for a great amount of change to take place in society. This reform of politics totally transformed how society functioned and gave the working class and the lower class a voice in their government. Without the 2nd reform bill British politics would not be where they are today, and British ideas would have never been so forward thinking. The liberalist ideas that infiltrated politics during this time created a movement that would forever change how society in Britain functions as a whole. The second aspect that completely transformed British society is the Woman’s movement. The new liberal ideas that embodied liberalism completely set the women’s movement in motion. The women’s movement created a new idea on how far the new idea of individualism could go. John Stewart Mills writing on “The Subjection of Women” at the time was a radical and impressive take on women’s place in society. Looking now at Mills ideas on how women should function in society it is evident that the libertarian ideas that infiltrated politics and the women’s movement had the greatest amount of impact on British society today.