Political power and the moral foundation of modern commercial states from Hume’s perspective

Zhang, Shuai (2024) Political power and the moral foundation of modern commercial states from Hume’s perspective. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This project is built upon Istvan Hont’s research on the eighteenth-century political theorists. It argues that the political thought of David Hume presents a compelling response to Hont's concerns about the power and the moral foundation of the modern commercial state.

In the first half of the thesis, encompassing the first two chapters, Mandeville and Hume's perspectives on the political power of the modern commercial state are examined. While Hont looks to neo-Machiavellian theorists to address the state's power in commerce, Mandeville and Hume delve deeper, considering the broader impact of commerce on the moral condition. They both acknowledge the necessity for modern states to foster commercial prosperity to maintain their national security, bolstering their political power through increased tax revenue and manpower. However, Mandeville and Hume differ in their assessments of morality in a commercial era. While Hume dismisses Mandeville’s focus on hypocrisy within the Beau Monde, he proposes evaluating moral life in the commercial era by scrutinizing the burgeoning middling ranks.

In the second half, comprising the remaining three chapters, I investigate Hume’s political theory as a response to Hont’s concern regarding the indispensability of government authority. I argue that while Hont underscores utility-seeking as central to sociability, he overemphasizes the economic aspect. In contrast, Hume tackles Hont’s concerns by scrutinizing the moral foundation of government authority through an accurate understanding of human nature. I approach Hume’s theory by critically examining the consent principle, contextualized within the backdrop of the debate surrounding the Glorious Revolution.

I employ Hume’s analysis of the Glorious Revolution as a gateway to his political philosophy. This pivotal event, which curtailed the king's prerogative, established the rule of law, and emphasized the principle of popular liberty, serves as a crucial backdrop. While acknowledging its contribution to popular liberty, Hume also underscores the indispensability of political authority in maintaining public order and national security in a commercial era. In contrast to prevalent theories of the original contract and popular consent, as advocated by John Locke and his Whig disciples, Hume rejects these notions and elucidates the role of government in addressing the inherent partiality of human nature. He contends that subjects bear both a natural and moral obligation to political authority. Therefore, a political theory of modern commercial states cannot solely focus on the civilizing process and liberty. Instead, it should elucidate the complex relationship between public authority and liberty, grounded in an accurate understanding of human nature, to offer a comprehensive perspective on the public order of a commercial era.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Funder's Name: China Scholarship Council (CSC)
• Supervisor's Name: Smith, Professor Craig and Dingli, Dr. Sophia
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84570
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 18 Sep 2024 14:18
• Last Modified: 18 Sep 2024 14:23
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84570
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84570