Hume's Illiberal, realist Political theory; with a note on the muscular liberalism found in some branches of Public Choice
digressionsimpressions.substack.com
In a number of recent posts [recall here, here, here, here, here], I have argued that despite his many proto-liberal contributions to political economy, it is a mistake to treat Hume as a proto-liberal in political theory. I did so not by invoking the charge of anachronism (although I would claim the desirability of attaining and working toward international and federal peace is distinctive of early liberals like Smith, Kant, and Bentham and this is noticeably absent in Hume), but on more substantive grounds. Hume’s account of balance of power (and ostracism) reveal in him rather realist commitments about the nature of international politics and I domestic political life, and that his support of ostracism also reveal a lack of commitment to the rule of law. Simply put: he sees politics as zero-sum, and (while he clearly likes the win-win possibilities of trade) he thinks politics cannot be avoided.
Hume's Illiberal, realist Political theory; with a note on the muscular liberalism found in some branches of Public Choice
Hume's Illiberal, realist Political theory…
Hume's Illiberal, realist Political theory; with a note on the muscular liberalism found in some branches of Public Choice
In a number of recent posts [recall here, here, here, here, here], I have argued that despite his many proto-liberal contributions to political economy, it is a mistake to treat Hume as a proto-liberal in political theory. I did so not by invoking the charge of anachronism (although I would claim the desirability of attaining and working toward international and federal peace is distinctive of early liberals like Smith, Kant, and Bentham and this is noticeably absent in Hume), but on more substantive grounds. Hume’s account of balance of power (and ostracism) reveal in him rather realist commitments about the nature of international politics and I domestic political life, and that his support of ostracism also reveal a lack of commitment to the rule of law. Simply put: he sees politics as zero-sum, and (while he clearly likes the win-win possibilities of trade) he thinks politics cannot be avoided.