According to Mill, to say that I have a right to something is to say that I have a valid claim on society to protect me in the possession of that thing, either by force of law or through education and opinion.

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Mill argues that a right is a claim that an individual has upon society to protect them in the possession of something. This protection can take the form of laws or cultural norms reinforced through education and opinion. So, saying that an individual has a right to something means that they have a valid claim on society to protect them in possessing that thing.

According to Mill, to Say That I Have a Right