‘What is characteristic of Socialism is the joint ownership by all the members of the community of the instruments and means of production; which carries with it the consequence that the division of the produce among the body of owners must be a public act, performed according to rules laid down by the community.’
John Stuart Mill, convinced that the inevitable tendencies of modern society must bring the question of socialism to the front, formed the design of writing a book on the topic. Mill believed socialism must be thoroughly and impartially considered since some policies of socialism may be implemented to improve the existing conditions of capitalistic society. This book serves as a good introduction to socialism written from an impartial and non-partisan perspective.
John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher, political economist, and politician. He is one of the most influential thinkers in the history of classical liberalism and made important contributions to social theory, political theory, and classical economics.