Does Mills principle of liberty forbid redistributive tax essays

Does Mill's principle of liberty forbid redistributive tax essays Does Mills principle of liberty forbid redistributive taxation? Would it make the principle more acceptable or less acceptable if it did? Mills first maxim in On Liberty is a persons right to complete freedom over their self regarding actions. He repeatedly tells us that an individuals freedom to do and think as he pleases is an absolute right which should not be interfered with through legal or moral coercion unless the action is causing harm to others The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others Surely any form of taxation is violating peoples right to liberty, as they are having the freedom of choice taken away from them. Surely even taxation as a form of showing societys disapproval of consumption of a certain good such as alcohol is coming very close to breaking his idea of absolute freedom over actions which only affect the consumer. Mill writes that the taxation of goods which are positively injurious to the consumer are justified. He justifies this assertion on a few grounds; he says this is a way of expressing societys disapproval of certain actions. The state while it permits should nevertheless indirectly discourage conduct which it deems contrary to the best interests of the agent There are many ways in which society can show its disapproval of an action, Mill normally suggest this should be done by allowing free speech so that people can discuss and advise people on matters. It doesnt seem to me that taxation can be reconciled with his maxim of liberty on the ground of showing societys disapproval. Mill does say that some taxation is necessary in order to run the government and law courts something he says is necessary for any civilised society. On the ground that some level of taxation is necessary for society to work as w...