James Mill: Political Writings (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)

About this book

James Mill (1773-1836) is today best known as Jeremy Benthams chief disciple and John Stuart Mills father. Yet Mill himself was a formidable and important Utilitarian thinker in his own right who earned the respect of even those who disagreed with him. His range was enormous (historian political philosopher psychologist educational theorist and economist) repeatedly crossing the disciplinary boundaries we take for granted today. This volume presents a wide sampling of Mills political writings and polemical essays. It begins with his classic work the Essay on Government it also includes pieces on the protection of rights the importance of education the free press the secret ballot and governments use of punishment against those who violate the rights of fellow citizens. The collection concludes with Macauleys famous critique of the Essay and Mills heretofore unnoticed reply in his Fragment on Mackintosh (1835). This is the first time that such a selection of Mills political works has appeared as one volume.