Bibliographic Information

The limits of state action

by Wilhelm von Humboldt ; edited with an introduction and notes by J.W. Burrow

(Cambridge studies in the history and theory of politics)

Cambridge University Press, 2009, c1969

  • : pbk

Other Title

Ideen zu einem Versuch die Grenzen der Wirksamkeit des Staats zu bestimmen

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Note

"First published 1969. This digitally printed version 2009" -- T.p. verso

"Paperback re-issue" -- Back cover

Includes bibliographical references (p. 141) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

This text is important both as one of the most interesting contributions to the liberalism of the German Enlightenment, and as the most significant source for the ideas which John Stuart Mill popularized in his essay On Liberty. Humboldt's concern is to define the criteria by which the permissible limits of the state's activities may be determined. His basic principle, like that of Mill, is that the only justification for government interference is the prevention of harm to others. He discusses in detail the role and limits of the state's responsibility for the welfare, security and morals of its citizens. Humboldt's special achievement in this work is to enlarge our sense of what a liberal political theory might be by his particularly sensitive grasp of the complexity of our attitudes to and our need of other people. Dr Burrow has based his translation on Coulthard's version of 1854. In an important introduction, he provides a most perceptive as well as scholarly guide to Humboldt's political thought.

Table of Contents

On the Limits of State Action.

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Details

  • NCID
    BB03515609
  • ISBN
    • 9780521103428
  • LCCN
    70075824
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Original Language Code
    ger
  • Place of Publication
    Cambridge, U.K.
  • Pages/Volumes
    xliii, 145 p.
  • Size
    22 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
  • Parent Bibliography ID
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