On Liberty is a philosophical essay by the English philosopher John Stuart Mill. Published in 1859, it applies Mill's ethical system of utilitarianism to society and state. Mill emphasizes the importance of individuality, which he considers prerequisite to the higher pleasures - the summum bonum of utilitarianism. Among the standards proposed are Mill's three basic liberties of individuals, his three legitimate objections to government intervention, and his two maxims regarding the relationship of the individual to society.
On Liberty was a greatly influential and well-received work. Mill suggests standards for the relationship between authority and liberty, and asserts that democratic ideals may result in the tyranny of the majority. The ideas presented in On Liberty have remained the basis of much political thought. A copy of On Liberty is passed to the president of the British Liberal Democrats as a symbol of office. It has remained in print since its initial publication.
This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.