The History of England, from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution in 1688. A New Ed

Key themes

The Evolution of Liberty and Government

Hume meticulously traces the gradual, often contentious, development of English constitutional liberty, from the absolute rule of early monarchs to the establishment of parliamentary supremacy. He examines how institutions like Parliament and common law evolved, not always through conscious design, but often as responses to conflict and circumstance. He often questions the purity of motives behind claims for liberty, suggesting that self-interest and factionalism frequently played a larger role than abstract ideals.

The Impact of Religion on Politics

Hume extensively explores the profound and often destructive role of religious belief and factionalism in English history, particularly from the Reformation through the Civil War. He details how religious zeal, whether Catholic or various forms of Protestantism, fueled political conflict, persecution, and social unrest, often overriding considerations of national unity or pragmatic governance. He views religious enthusiasm with a skeptical eye, often linking it to fanaticism and intolerance.

Human Nature and Historical Causation

As a philosopher, Hume's history is deeply concerned with understanding human nature as a constant, underlying force driving historical events. He seeks to identify universal principles of human behavior—ambition, self-interest, fear, reason, passion—and how they manifest in the actions of individuals and groups, shaping political decisions, social structures, and the course of nations. He views history as a laboratory for studying human nature, where cause and effect can be observed.

Worth discussing

How does Hume's philosophical background influence his historical interpretations? Can history truly be 'impartial'?