Men Versus the State: Herbert Spencer and Late Victorian Individualism

ISBN-13: 9780198202394 / Angielski / Twarda / 1992 / 304 str.

Taylor; Michael Taylor; M. W. Taylor

Opis

A study of the political philosophy of Herbert Spencer, this book examines the thought of the man considered by many to be the greatest philosopher of Victorian Britain, and the ideas of the Individualists, a group of political thinkers inspired by him to uphold the policy of laissez-faire during the 1880s and 1890s. Despite their important contribution to nineteenth-century political debate, these thinkers have been neglected by historians, who Taylor argues have concentrated instead on the advocates of an enhanced role for government in economic and social affairs. Offering the first comprehensive view of free-market conservatism in an historical context, Taylor provides an original perspective on Spencer's political philosophy as well as the nature of late Victorian political argument in general.

Recenzje

an extremely engaging book ... Taylor has an admirable grasp of the literature and uses it to good effect in arguing cogently against many of the preconceptions and misunderstandings of Spencer's crucial ideas ... careful, scholarly and stimulating ... He has produced a highly original work which must serve as a reference point for future studies of Spencer's political thought.

Spis treści

Preface; The paradise lost of liberalism; Rivals to the Benthamite heritage; Progress and the struggle for existence; The formation of character; The organic conception of society; The individualist theory of history; The reworking of utilitarianism; Justice, property, and natural right; Individualism and conservatism; Select bibliography; Index

O autorze

Currently Analyst, Banking Supervision Division, Bank of England; formerly Lecturer in Political Philosophy and Political Theory, Lincoln College, Oxford (1986-1989)