On Liberty is an excellent work done by John Stuart Mill in which he clearly defined his political ideas. Mill has been an ardent supporter of personal liberty and has clearly rejected the social contract ideas. Social contract theory states that every individual is obliged to live in accordance with an agreement that has been shaped by the society in which one lives. But Mill clearly rejects this idea because these social contract ideas are meant to justify the sovereignty or authority of a ruler instead of ensuring the fundamental rights of the individuals that states if such a contract is not maintained, it would result in a complete “state of nature”. Mill believed that individual freedom is important for a perfect society as it lessens the submission of the people and eliminates the dictatorship of the state. Mill has stated that a society has a certain limit when its authority over an individual is concerned.
Although the individuals are not in contract with the society but they do owe a specific behavior towards the society in which they live. Mill believed that the people should have complete freedom regarding their choices and expressions. But he also proposed certain restrictions regarding the “sovereignty of the individual over himself.” The individuals should never hurt other people and their interests and if an individual does the harm, the society has the right to intervene and punish the harming ones. Mill also believed that the people should not only work for their own well-being but also strive for the betterment of the society and should educate others.
Mill can rightly be considered as the founder of the modern social system as he proposed personal liberty and freedom as one of the important components of an ideal society. Mill has not only supported the notion of individual liberty but has also associated some responsibilities with it which are necessary for the proper running of the society. In my opinion, liberty also calls for responsibility and Mill has rightly limited the power of an individual over himself and over others. This freedom and power is only enjoyable if it is not in conflict with others and we must not stay indifferent while focusing on our personal interests. Moreover, the government’s intervention is required when there is an extreme violation of the rights of people and Mill’s idea of intervention resonates with my views.