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Abstract
This project seeks to identify and address two problems in the field of political theory. These are (1) contemporary political theory tends to operate within a 'liberal' paradigm, within which the subjects, questions and resources for theoretical work are structured; and (2) in the context of studies of John Stuart Mill, this paradigm has resulted in problematic reconstructions and appropriations of his thought. I argue that 'liberalism' has come to stand as the conceptual terrain for theoretical inquiry. Scholars tend to approach political questions, histories and texts in terms of their presumed relation to 'liberalism', and understand the significance or utility of these things in terms of what they might tell us about 'liberalism'. In feminist and postcolonial studies of JS Mill, the identification of Mill with 'liberalism' often constitutes the interpretive work done to his texts. Rather than finding resources in Mill's thought for thinking about gender or imperial politics, scholars begin with a set of assumptions about 'liberalism', that in turn determines how they navigate Mill's work. The latter part of the project attempts to break away from a 'liberal' framing in an effort to recover what I suggest has been obscured within it: the role of uncertainty in Mill's thought. Contrary to traditional 'liberal' readings, Mill's tolerance of uncertainty generates an experimental politics geared towards anti-deterministic accounts of human nature, individuality, harm and progress. Moreover, recovering Mill's uncertainty brings to light the parallel strategies he employs across his discussions of gender equality, class reform in England, and British Empire. The goal of this project, therefore, is both to challenge the disciplinary powers of a 'liberal' paradigm and, by initiating a shift away from 'liberalism's' interpretive authority, to bring a new interpretive perspective to bear on JS Mill's political thought.
