Humans are capable of developing their natural faculties, especially when afforded education, and should be given “developmental freedom” to do so.
This is the theory of “developmental individualism” and allows us to access “higher pleasures” – without education humans may make “self-regarding” decisions that are personally harmful but with education this is less likely.
Mill argued, along with Bentham, for utilitarianism, the idea that humans are primarily driven by avoidance of pain and search for pleasure
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The economy
Mill claimed that “laissez-faire” economics is in keeping with liberal values of free exchange of labour and the importance of consumer choice.
This economic system establishes little state regulation of the economy and few taxes or subsidies.
Adam Smith believed that a free-market economy would be guided by the “invisible hand” as when individuals make self-interested financial decisions, they incidentally manage demand as this is best for business.
While this system may create greater inequality, the poor will still be better off as the country as a whole will become richer.
Later in life, Mill adopted the view that a “flat tax” is the best way forward.
This should encourage poorer people to earn more money while generating enough money for the state to perform its limited role of defence and protection of rights.
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The State
Mill opposed “paternalism” and a “coercive state” that wouldn’t allow harmful “self-regarding” actions – those that only affect oneself. Mill believed that if the state treats its citizens as children, they begin to act like children and fail to be self-reliant individuals.
The state therefore has no role in regulating personal beliefs.
The state should, however, take a role in promoting “higher pleasures”, more intellectual pursuits that will advance an individual’s development.
Humans should, however, be left to pursue their own pleasures in accordance with the principles of pluralism as one person’s idea of happiness is not the same as everyone else’s.
Mill favoured a PR electoral system in which the most educated were allowed the most votes.
He advocated for representative democracy over direct democracy, believing that MPs could best make informed decisions in the interest of the nation and their constituents.
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Society
Society should promote “positive pleasures”; all actions that don’t harm others are permissible, according to Mill’s “harm principle" and these actions should be allowed to occur free from restraint.
Mill was one of the first to advocate for decriminalisation of homosexuality for this reason.
Mill advocated for a tolerant society, believing that only a “free market of ideas” allows the truth to emerge.
Tolerance would also allow autonomy and therefore moral development.
Social ideals should not be promoted as true as without discussion no conclusion could be made on any topic.
Just because a view was held widely across society, this didn’t make it true.
This “despotism of custom” was seen by Mill to crush self-expression; he instead hoped for a society that would facilitate “experiments of living”.
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