Political Discourses (1752)

Political Discourses is a collection of essays written by the Scottish philosopher David Hume in 1752. The book is divided into two parts, the first of which focuses on the principles of government and the second on the practical applications of those principles. In the first part of the book, Hume argues that the best form of government is one that balances power between different branches and allows for the free exchange of ideas. He also discusses the importance of property rights and the dangers of excessive taxation. The second part of the book applies these principles to specific political issues of the time, such as the role of the monarchy, the relationship between church and state, and the proper treatment of colonies. Hume advocates for a limited monarchy and religious toleration, but also argues against the exploitation of colonies for the benefit of the mother country. Overall, Political Discourses is a seminal work in political philosophy that continues to influence political thought to this day. Hume's emphasis on the importance of liberty, property rights, and the separation of powers has had a lasting impact on modern democratic theory.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.