The Principles of State Interference: Four Essays on the Political Philosophy of Mr. Herbert Spencer, J. S. Mill, and T. H. Green (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

David G. Ritchie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0656423927 ISBN 13: 9780656423927

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

A bold, accessible critique of major arguments on state power, individualism, and liberty.

This collection of four essays challenges well-known positions from Spencer, Mill, and Green with careful reasoning and clear analysis.

In these pages, David G. Ritchie examines how government action shapes or limits personal freedom. He argues that questions about the proper reach of the state must balance practical outcomes with philosophical principles, drawing on debates around liberalism, socialism, and utilitarianism. The work situates discussions of sovereignty, society, and the role of law within a long tradition of English political thought.

• Explore Ritchie’s analysis of Herbert Spencer’s individualism and his view of the state versus private influence.
• See how Mill’s conception of liberty is tested against real-world limits and the role of state intervention.
• Understand how the author weighs utilitarian considerations against rights and institutional power.
• Compare different approaches to sovereignty, social organization, and the relation between society and the state.

Ideal for readers of political philosophy and the history of ideas who want a concise, thought‑provoking critique of classic liberal arguments.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0656423927
• ISBN 13: 9780656423927
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 182