Inquiry Concerning Political Justice
by William Godwin
1793
INQUIRY CONCERNING POLITICAL JUSTICE
AND ITS INFLUENCE ON MODERN MORALS AND HAPPINESS
BOOK I: OF THE POWERS OF MAN CONSIDERED IN HIS SOCIAL CAPACITY
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
The object proposed in the following work is an investigation concerning
that form of public or political society, that system of intercourse and
reciprocal action, extending beyond the bounds of a single family, which
shall be found most to conduce to the general benefit. How may the peculiar
and independent operation of each individual in the social state most effectually
be preserved? How may the security each man ought to possess, as to his life,
and... (From: http://www.efm.bris.ac.uk/.)
BOOK II
PRINCIPALS OF SOCIETY
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
In the preceding book we have cleared the foundations for the remaining
branches of inquiry, and shown what are the prospects it is reasonable to
entertain as to future political improvement. The effects which are produced
by positive institutions have there been delineated, as well as the extent
of the powers of man, considered in his social capacity. It is time that
we proceed to those disquisitions which are more immediately the object of
the present work.
Political inquiry may be distributed under two heads: first, what are
the regulations which will conduce to the well being of man in society; and,
secondly, what is the autho... (From: http://www.efm.bris.ac.uk/.)
BOOK III
PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER I
SYSTEMS OF POLITICAL WRITERS
Having in the preceding book attempted a general delineation of the principles of rational society, it is proper that we, in the next place, proceed to the topic of government.
It has hitherto been the persuasion of communities of men in all ages and countries that there are occasions, in which it becomes necessary, to supersede private judgment for the sake of public good, and to control the acts of the individual, by an act to be performed in the name of the whole.
Previously to our deciding upon this question, it will be of advantage to inquire into the nature of government, and the manner in which this control may be exercised with the smallest degree of viol... (From: http://www.efm.bris.ac.uk/.)
BOOK IV
OF THE OPERATION OF OPINION IN SOCIETIES AND INDIVIDUALS
CHAPTER I
OF RESISTANCE
Having now made some progress in the inquiry originally instituted, it
may be proper to look back, and consider the point at which we are arrived.
We have examined, in the first place, the powers of man as they relate to
the subject of which we treat; secondly, we have delineated the principles
of society, as founded in justice and general interest, independently of,
and antecedent to, every species of political government; and, lastly, have
endeavored to ascertain the fundamental conditions which must belong to
the most rational system of government. We might now proceed to investigate
the different obj... (From: http://www.efm.bris.ac.uk/.)
BOOK V
OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWER
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
In the preceding divisions of this work the ground has been sufficiently
cleared to enable us to proceed, with considerable explicitness and satisfaction,
to the practical detail: in other words, to attempt the tracing out that
application of the laws of general justice which may best conduce to the
gradual improvement of mankind.
It has appeared that an inquiry concerning the principles and conduct
of social intercourse is the most important topic upon which the mind of
man can be exercised;(1*) that, upon these principles, well or ill conceived,
and the manner in which they are administered, the vises and virtues of indiv... (From: http://www.efm.bris.ac.uk/.)
BOOK VI
OF OPINION CONSIDERED AS A SUBJECT OF POLITICAL INSTITUTION
CHAPTER I
GENERAL EFFECTS OF THE POLITICAL SUPERINTENDENCE OF OPINION
A principle which has entered deeply into the systems of the writers on
political law is that of the duty of governments to watch over the manners
of the people. 'Government' say they, 'plays the part of an unnatural step
mother, not of an affectionate parent, when she is contented by rigorous
punishments to avenge the commission of a crime, while she is wholly inattentive
beforehand to imbue the mind with those virtuous principles which might have
rendered punishment unnecessary. It is the business of a sage and patriotic
magistracy to have its attention e... (From: http://www.efm.bris.ac.uk/.)
BOOK VII
OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
CHAPTER I
LIMITATIONS OF THE DOCTRINE OF PUNISHMENT WHICH RESULT FROM THE PRINCIPLES
OF MORALITY
The subject of punishment is perhaps the most fundamental in the science
of politics. Men associated for the sake of mutual protection and benefit.
It has already appeared that the internal affairs of such associations are
of an inexpressibly higher importance than their external.(1*) It has appeared
that the action of society, in conferring rewards, and superintending opinion,
is of pernicious effect.(2*) Hence it follows that government, or the action
of society in its corporate capacity, can scarcely be of any utility except
so far as it is requisite for the supp... (From: http://www.efm.bris.ac.uk/.)
BOOK VIII
OF PROPERTY
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS
The subject of property is the key-stone that completes the fabric of
political justice. According as our ideas respecting it are crude or correct,
they will enlighten us as to the consequences of a simple form of society
without government, and remove the prejudices that attach us to complexity.
There is nothing that more powerfully tends to distort our judgment and
opinions than erroneous notions concerning the goods of fortune. Finally,
the period that must put an end to the system of coercion and punishment
is intimately connected with the circumstance of property's being placed
upon an equitable basis.
Various abuses ... (From: http://www.efm.bris.ac.uk/.)