Justice and Utility in John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill has traditionally been viewed as the iconic representative of British liberalism. However, he transformed some of the central tenets of classical political economy. He became aware of the effects of trade unions and strikes on wages. His utilitarian background also led him to abandon the doctrinaire interpretation of laisser-faire, and to defend state intervention in order to improve the distribution of wealth. Although Mill does not generally invoke his theory of economic justice in his writings, it clearly provides the framework for his policy proposals, aimed at enhancing both human well-being and the autonomy of the individual.