John Stuart Mill (influence)

John Stuart Mill was a 19th-century philosopher and economist whose ideas greatly influenced modern liberal thought. He championed individual freedoms, advocating for free speech, women's rights, and utilitarianism—the idea that actions are right if they promote happiness. Mill emphasized the importance of education and believed that a free society allows people to develop their potential. His work helped shape democratic principles, civil liberties, and social reforms, making him influential in shaping contemporary ideas about government, morality, and human welfare.