John Stuart Mill
The 19th-century liberal who developed the harm principle (liberty should only be restricted to prevent harm to others), championed individual autonomy, and supported women's suffrage.
Real World
Mill's harm principle underpins modern UK drug policy debates — arguments for decriminalising cannabis often cite the Millian logic that personal drug use harms only the user and the state has no right to intervene.
Exam Focus
For 'analyse' questions on Mill, always distinguish his harm principle from his views on representative government — they are separate, markable strands.
How well did you know this?