Mill and Marx on Inequality

Abstract

John Stuart Mill is usually considered chiefly as a theorist of liberty, and Karl Marx, of equality. This essay argues that both writers are closer to one another, particularly vis-à-vis equality, than such a binary juxtaposition suggests. Mill’s views on co-operation, inheritance, land nationalization and feminism are contrasted to parallel positions adopted by Marx. The issue of the persistence of “capitalism,” of social classes, and of inequality of reward is considered. The means of achieving such ends—through political innovation, trades unionism, co-operation or revolution, are also briefly contrasted. Some clear areas of divergence are also indicated, notably in Mill’s neo-Malthusianism, his exposition of the “harm principle,” and his promotion of a positive vision of the “stationary state,” none of which finds a parallel in Marx’s thought.