Socialism

As one of the most influential books of the 19th century, ‘Socialism’ by John Stuart Mill changed the shape of political discourse around the world. This book is set at the intersection of social order and individual liberty, with political and economic ideas analyzed against a backdrop of social theory.

Mill was a proponent of utilitarianism — an ethical theory developed by Jeremy Bentham that contributed greatly to the scientific method. In this title, Mill put forward a conception of personal freedom in opposition to unlimited state and social control.

‘Socialism’ has fresh import due to the persistence of social and economic injustice around the world. As one of liberalism’s most strident defenders, Mill advocates fundamental principles of humanism without dismissing socialist forms of economic organization.

In a modern world that simplifies the complex relationship between individual liberty and collective growth, this book is a powerful reminder that freedom and socialism are not mutually exclusive. As the self-corrective properties of the market continue to break down, ‘Socialism’ is more relevant than ever before.