writings of

William Godwin

(1756-1836)

Godwin's liberalism grew out of Paine, Price, Priestley, the utilitarians, and anticipated the anarchists of the 19th century. "Political Justice" is his major work of political philosophy. First published in 1793, Godwin extensively revised the work in subsequent editions. The first edition, though a bit rough, dealing, at times, with marginal speculatory matters Godwin would later abandon, and representing an evolutionary, rather than finished, view of Godwin's views, is, in many ways, a much more radical (and interesting) document, and a much rarer one.
 

Enquiry Concerning

Political Justice

& Its Influence on Morals & Happiness

First Edition (1793)

 Preface
 Book I: Of the Powers of Man Considered in his Social Capacity
 Book II: Principals of Society
 Book III: Prncipals of Government
 Book IV: Of the Operation of Opinion in Societies and Individuals
 Book V: Of Legislative & Executive Power
 Book VI: Of Opinion Considered As A Subject of Political Institution
 Book VII: Of Crimes & Punishments
 Book VIII: Of Property

The second text--we're getting it posted slowly but surely--comes from the much-revised third edition of the book favored by Godwin.
 

Revised Third Edition (1798)

BOOK I

Of the Powers of Man Considered in His Social Capacity

 Preface

 Chapter I
Introduction

 Chapter II
History of Political Society

 Chapter III
Spirit of Political Institutions

 Chapter IV
The Characters of Men Originate in their External Circumstances

 Chapter V
The Voluntary Actions of Men Originate in their Opinions

 Chapter VI
Of the Influence of Climate

 Chapter VII
Of the Influence of Luxury

 Chapter VIII
Human Interventions Susceptible of Perpetual Improvement
 
 

BOOK II

Principles of Society

 Chapter I
Introduction

 Chapter II
Of Justice

 Chapter III
Of the Equality of Mankind

 Chapter IV
Of Personal Virtue and Duty

 Chapter V
Of Rights

 Chapter VI
Of the Right of Private Judgment
 
 

BOOK III

Principles of Government

 Chapter I
Systems of Political Writers

 Chapter II
Of the Social Contract

 Chapter III
Of Promises

 Chapter IV
Of Political Authority

 Chapter V
Of Legislation

 Chapter VI
Of Obedience

 Chapter VII
Of Forms of Government
 

 Classical Liberals

 Writings