The Reports

Quotes from Charles Baron de Montesquieu, who had great influence in the formation of Enlightenment and modern political thought.

Quotes from John Trenchard, who condemned tyranny and advanced the principles of freedom of conscience and freedom of speech. His writings were the main vehicle for spreading the concepts that had been developed by John Locke.

Quotes from Thomas Gordon, who Thomas Gordon argued for the power and right of the people do judge their government.

This article discusses the contribution of Cato's Letters, calling them "the most popular, quotable, esteemed source of political ideas in the colonial period." It then includes quotes from the letters on the subjects of liberty and property.

This article, reviewing One Holy and Happy Society: The Public Theology of Jonathan Edwards by Gerald R. McDermott (see book section below), argues that the value of this book is in showing that "Edwards did in fact concern himself with politics, economics, and social issues."

Reviewing the life and influence of William Blackstone, Bailey concludes: "William Blackstone was by any standard often a failure and the Commentaries were flawed. And yet this failed, flawed man contributed, sometimes in spite of himself, greatly to the Constitution, laws and leaders of the United States. For that, if nothing else, he was a success after all."

In this article, Fieser describes "Hume’s Place in Early Aesthetic, Political, and Economic Theory," provides a summary of the Essays, and an "Overview of the Early Responses" to them.

Quesnay, in his work Tableau économique, attempted to provide a systematic description of a national economy. Based on this work, he argued for reducing taxes and simplifying regulations. His thought was an influence on Adam Smith's later work.

Delaney provides an overview of Rousseau's controversial life and works: "Not only is he one of the most important figures in the history of political philosophy, later influencing Karl Marx among others, but his works were also championed by the leaders of the French Revolution."

This article provides a "more detailed discussion of five central concepts in Locke's political philosophy, paying special attention to disputes over the interpretation and plausibility of Locke's arguments."

In this chapter from his four-volume work Conceived in Liberty, Rothbard traces the growth of 18th century American libertarian thought through English and French influences.

This lecture on Rousseau is part of the 10-lecture course The History of Political Philosophy: From Plato to Rothbard.

This lecture on Hobbes is part of the 10-lecture course The History of Political Philosophy: From Plato to Rothbard.

In this essay, Locke argues for an end to religious persecution.

The volume collects some of Francis' Bacon's political and historical writings to demonstrate his contributions to political philosophy.

Blackstone's work is considered the most authoritative statement of the pre-American Revolution common law. It influenced the American founding documents, and continues to be a persuasive legal authority in the United States and other common law jurisdictions.

Algernon Sidney was convicted and executed for partaking in a plot against the king. In his execution speech, he points to the shakiness of the evidence.

Here, Thomas Hobbes presents his political philosophy in detail. He divides this work into three parts. The first is titled "Libertas" (liberty), which deals with humanity's natural condition and Hobbes' theory of natural law.

In his first Discourse, Rousseau claims that the arts and sciences corrupt humans morally.

In this work, Rousseau outlines a strategy for educating the "natural man" he advocates in The Social Contract.

Sir Robert Filmer argues for the Divine right of kings, maintaining that the first kings were the fathers of families, with Adam as the first king. He therefore argues that kings possess natural power and rights over their nations, and that it is unnatural for the people to choose who will govern them.

This early work of Hobbes, originally titled The Elements of Law, consists of two parts. The first presents his theory of human nature. The second, "The Political Body," discusses forms of government and the extent of legitimate government authority.

Hobbes argued that a state of nature (an environment without a government imposing order) would be "the war of all against all" and life in such an environment would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Hobbes' work De Homine presents his view of human nature and his moral philosophy and De Cive, which presents his political philosophy (see description in article section above).

James Harrington's description of an utopian republic. In this work, he sets down an entire system of government from the very powerful to the very lowly.

"Hume’s great History of England the theme of which is liberty, above all English constitutional development from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Revolution of 1688."

In this work, Sir Francis Bacon describes a fictional ideal society, in which science is highly valued, slavery was abolished, debtors' prisons did not exist, freedom of religion and political expression were permitted, and so on.

Locke's Second Treatise develops his descriptions of the state of nature along with natural law. His work was extremely influential in the founding of America and its Constitution.

This author focuses on the influence of differing perspectives on the common law tradition in shaping the American idea of a constitution.

This volume from a Lutheran pastor and professor of religion and philosophy considers Jonathan Edwards' views on application of theology to social and political life.

This book provides a short account of the Great Awakening. It concentrates on creation of the evangelical movement through the idea of individually experienced salvation, concepts of spiritual equality leading to demand for social and political equality, and controversies over the revival movement.

Originally published in 1713, this work discusses the development of the common law and was considered an authoritative work on the law in early America.