The development of non – interventionist individualism:
The sequence of development of non – interventionist individualism is as follows:
1. The seeds of non – interventionist individualism are also found in sophist thinkers of Greece. They have put an individual above the state.
2. According to epicurean philosophers, there is no existence of a state without an individual’s self – interests.
3. As a result of industrial revolution in the 18th century, there developed individualism in the economic field. Many economists such as Thomas Malthus, Ricardo, Adam Smith, etc. propagated the concept that a state should not interfere in economic field.
4. In modern times, in political philosophy, individualism is the gift of the 19th century. First of all, Bentham and James Mill propagated it. Its full expression is found in the creations of John Stuart Mill and Herbert Spencer in the mid 19th century.