The Collected Works of Jeremy Bentham: Colonies, Commerce, and Constitutional Law: Rid Yourselves of Ultramaria, and Other Writings on Spain and Spanish America

Schofield, Philip (Editor)

ISBN 10: 0198226128 / ISBN 13: 9780198226123

Published by Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1995

About this Item

Hardcover with gilt lettered front board, no dust jacket, in very good condition. Light shelf wear only. Boards are clean, binding is sound and pages are clear. LW.

Seller Inventory # 609098

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Collected Works of Jeremy Bentham: Colonies, Commerce, and Constitutional Law: Rid Yourselves of Ultramaria, and Other Writings on Spain and Spanish America
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, Oxford
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198226128
• ISBN 13: 9780198226123
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket
• Book Type: Used
• Seller catalogs:
  • Politics

About this title

Synopsis

Colonies, Commerce, and Constitutional Law is a major theoretical analysis of the harmful effects of colonies on commerce and constitiutional democracy, and is one of the most important studies of colonialism written in the nineteenth century. Of the four essays collected in this voloume, three have been edited directly from the original manuscript sources. The only essay to have appeared in print, `Observations on the Restrictive and Prohibitory Commercial System', is generally regarded as an early classic statement of the beneficial effects of freedom of trade. In the these pioneering essays written in 1820-2, Bentham provided a penetrating critique of colonialism from within the liberal utilitarian tradition. Applying his general principles to the case of Spain and Spanish America, he argued that any attempt by Spain to maintain dominion over her Empire, or even to maintain a claim to the dominion was fundamentally misguided. Colonies were not a source of wealth to the colonizing country, but rather led to the imposition of increased taxation. Moreover, the existence of colonies increased the amount of patronage at the disposal of Spain's rulers, and thus would facilitate the corruption of the members of the new legislative assembly and eventually lead to the restoration of the ancient despotism. Colonies were not only wasteful and expensive, but posed a threat to constitutional government itself. The should therefore be granted unconditional independence, as a prererequisite to the establishment of unrestricted commercial relations, which would produce mutual benefit to both Spain and Spanish Amarica.

Review

Dr Schofield's editorial work is exemplary, and greatly assists the reader. The editor's labours and scholarship are much to our profit. These writings add significantly to our knowledge of Bentham ... the paperback reissue of the definitive text of the Collected Works edition is very welcome. (Peter Nicholson, University of York, Political Studies, Vol. 45, No. 1, March '97)

Published now in a comprehensive and critical edition, these writings are a welcome addition to the Collected Works of Jeremy Bentham. (John Lynch, University of London, Latin American Studies, Vol. 29 - 1997)