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John Stuart Mill, Socialist |
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Why did the world's most famous liberal call himself a socialist?
Best known as the author of On Liberty, John Stuart Mill remains a canonical figure in liberalism today. Yet according to his autobiography, by the mid-1840s he placed himself "under the general designation of Socialist." Taking this self-description seriously, John Stuart Mill, Socialist reinterprets Mill's work in its light.
Helen McCabe explores the nineteenth-century political economist's core commitments to egalitarianism, social justice, social harmony, and a socialist utopia of cooperation, fairness, and human flourishing. Uncovering Mill's changing relationship with the radicalism of his youth and his excitement about the revolutionary events of 1848, McCabe argues that he saw liberal reforms as solutions to contemporary problems, while socialism was the path to a better future. In so doing, she casts new light on his political theory, including his theory of social progress; his support for democracy; his feminism; his concept of utility; his understanding of individuality; and his account of "the permanent interests of man as a progressive being," which is so central to his famous harm principle.
As we look to rebuild the world in the wake of financial crises, climate change, and a global pandemic, John Stuart Mill, Socialist offers a radical rereading of the philosopher and a fresh perspective on contemporary meanings of socialism.
Helen McCabe explores the nineteenth-century political economist's core commitments to egalitarianism, social justice, social harmony, and a socialist utopia of cooperation, fairness, and human flourishing. Uncovering Mill's changing relationship with the radicalism of his youth and his excitement about the revolutionary events of 1848, McCabe argues that he saw liberal reforms as solutions to contemporary problems, while socialism was the path to a better future. In so doing, she casts new light on his political theory, including his theory of social progress; his support for democracy; his feminism; his concept of utility; his understanding of individuality; and his account of "the permanent interests of man as a progressive being," which is so central to his famous harm principle.
As we look to rebuild the world in the wake of financial crises, climate change, and a global pandemic, John Stuart Mill, Socialist offers a radical rereading of the philosopher and a fresh perspective on contemporary meanings of socialism.
Details
368 Pages, 6 x 9
1 photo, 1 table
ISBN 9780228005742
March 2021
Formats: Cloth, Paperback, eBook
"In this well-written and thoughtful book, McCabe makes what should stand as the definitive case that Mill was indeed a socialist and that his socialism is highly consistent with - indeed, strongly connected to - his liberalism." Joseph Persky, University of Illinois at Chicago
"John Stuart Mill, Socialist is a marvellous book, industriously researched, skilfully argued and delivered in elegant prose. Essential reading for specialists and non-specialists alike, what McCabe succeeds in showing us is that Mill provides a practical form of socialism concerned with freedom, equality, cooperation, diversity, human flourishing and the environment, entirely free of the ressentiment which typifies much of what passes for left-wing theory today." Marx and Philosophy Review of Books
“ [McCabe] observes that the apparent tension between [Mill’s] status as a liberal and a socialist can be attributed to how more attention is given to political labels than to the ideas and arguments that inform them. Mill argued that ethical transformation at the individual level is necessary for social progress, and the change he imagined can only occur if ideas and arguments prevail over labels and buzzwords. Appropriately, the greatest accomplisment of John Stuart Mill, Socialist is doing his ideas justice.” Public Realm
"Helen McCabe’s book John Stuart Mill, Socialist should join the ranks of the essential books on Mill’s political philosophy and political economy." Utilitas
"McCabe’s book breathes new life into the discussion of Mill’s thought." History of European Ideas
"McCabe’s book is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the limits of Mill’s liberalism and its compatibility with his other commitments to socialism or feminism." The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought
"John Stuart Mill is a marvellous book, industriously researched, skilfully argued and delivered in elegant prose." Marx & Philosophy Review of Books
“John Stuart Mill, Socialist does more than provide a fresh perspective in a long-lasting feud. In dissolving the supposed contradictions in Mill's thought and questioning the usual conceptualization of socialism, McCabe's remarkable book offers a powerful and convincing argument not only for seeing Mill as a socialist, but also for rethinking our political categories. This book is highly relevant for both historians of ideas and political philosophers, whether with or without socialist leanings.” History of Political Thought
"John Stuart Mill, Socialist is a marvellous book, industriously researched, skilfully argued and delivered in elegant prose. Essential reading for specialists and non-specialists alike, what McCabe succeeds in showing us is that Mill provides a practical form of socialism concerned with freedom, equality, cooperation, diversity, human flourishing and the environment, entirely free of the ressentiment which typifies much of what passes for left-wing theory today." Marx and Philosophy Review of Books
“ [McCabe] observes that the apparent tension between [Mill’s] status as a liberal and a socialist can be attributed to how more attention is given to political labels than to the ideas and arguments that inform them. Mill argued that ethical transformation at the individual level is necessary for social progress, and the change he imagined can only occur if ideas and arguments prevail over labels and buzzwords. Appropriately, the greatest accomplisment of John Stuart Mill, Socialist is doing his ideas justice.” Public Realm
"Helen McCabe’s book John Stuart Mill, Socialist should join the ranks of the essential books on Mill’s political philosophy and political economy." Utilitas
"McCabe’s book breathes new life into the discussion of Mill’s thought." History of European Ideas
"McCabe’s book is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the limits of Mill’s liberalism and its compatibility with his other commitments to socialism or feminism." The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought
"John Stuart Mill is a marvellous book, industriously researched, skilfully argued and delivered in elegant prose." Marx & Philosophy Review of Books
“John Stuart Mill, Socialist does more than provide a fresh perspective in a long-lasting feud. In dissolving the supposed contradictions in Mill's thought and questioning the usual conceptualization of socialism, McCabe's remarkable book offers a powerful and convincing argument not only for seeing Mill as a socialist, but also for rethinking our political categories. This book is highly relevant for both historians of ideas and political philosophers, whether with or without socialist leanings.” History of Political Thought
Helen McCabe is assistant professor of political theory at the University of Nottingham.
Acknowledgments
vii
Introduction
3
CHAPTER ONE
Socialism as the Means to Maximizing Happiness: Mill’s Crisis of Faith and the Expansion of the Horizons of Human Society
19
CHAPTER TWO
Criticisms of Capitalism and Mill’s Idea of a “Perfected” System of Private Property
43
CHAPTER THREE
Mill’s Assessment of Contemporary Socialism(s): Community, Cooperation, and Revolution
93
CHAPTER FOUR
Mill’s Socialist Principles
137
CHAPTER FIVE
Mill’s Socialist “Utopia”
197
Conclusion
239
Notes
271
Bibliography
331
Index
347
vii
Introduction
3
CHAPTER ONE
Socialism as the Means to Maximizing Happiness: Mill’s Crisis of Faith and the Expansion of the Horizons of Human Society
19
CHAPTER TWO
Criticisms of Capitalism and Mill’s Idea of a “Perfected” System of Private Property
43
CHAPTER THREE
Mill’s Assessment of Contemporary Socialism(s): Community, Cooperation, and Revolution
93
CHAPTER FOUR
Mill’s Socialist Principles
137
CHAPTER FIVE
Mill’s Socialist “Utopia”
197
Conclusion
239
Notes
271
Bibliography
331
Index
347
