Joey Sova
Mr. Kautzman
A.P. Macroeconomics
23 February 2015
John Stuart Mill John Stuart Mill is a very influential and is considered a radical economist during the 19th century. During his life he took many queues from utilitarianism, which believed in maximizing the total benefit and reducing the negatives. This school of thought is meant to answer the long asked question “What ought a man to do”? He fought for social reform, women’s suffrage, and the abolition of slavery. Even though he did support radical beliefs during his time, like animal rights, environmental conservation, and land reform in Ireland. He was able to publish one of the most influential books on economics, Principles of Political Economy in 1848. He held a very wide range of views on various economic issues like taxes, where he believed that there should be an equal tax rate for all. He also championed the market system, where he believed that supply and demand should govern how the economy operates. When it came to the political issue of colonialism, he believed that colonies if a country should have any at all should have the policy of benevolent despotism. This stated that the colonies should be treated with the same international customs, morality, and laws. Even though he supported women’s suffrage, he believed that graduates should hold more voting power over non graduates, because they are more educated and there for have a more of an ability to make the best decisions. This economist held many different views from many political sources, which cemented him during the 19th century in the political and economic world as a radical. I feel that John Stuart Mill contributions to not only economics, but social and political reform were a very new school type of thinking to many problems arising in the world. His views I feel were very cutting edge for his time. Some of his views in many parts of the world like women’s suffrage, animal rights, and environmental conservation would not be challenged or changed for decades after his death. I feel like his opinion on slavery and women’s suffrage is spot on and that his opinions should have taken affect sooner in many parts of the
