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, version 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 General Virtue & Happiness

First Edition (1793)

 Preface
 Book I: Of the Importance of Political Institutions
 Book II: Principles of Society
 Book III: Principles of Government
 Book IV: Miscellaneous Principles
 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
 

Godwin revised the text through a number of editions, but his revisions of the 1798 edition were particularly extensive--virtually a wholesale rewrite. This was the version favored by Godwin:

Enquiry Concerning

Political Justice

& Its Influence on Morals & Happiness

Revised 1798 Edition

 Preface
 Book I: Of the Powers of Man Considered in his Social Capacity
 Book II: Principles of Society
 Book III: Principles 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
 

 Classical Liberals

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