Distribution of Power and a Political Change in David Hume's Political Theory
Distribution of Power and a Political Change in David Hume's Political Theory

Summary/Abstract: In this paper I would like to present an interpretation ofDavid Hume’s political theory. Therefore, a method of investigation canbe recognized as hermeneutical one. Main threads which I would like toemphasize are: concept of stability, distribution of power, role of an opinionin political dimension and a conservative attitude toward a change.I claim that important lesson for political science can be taken from histheory. Generally speaking, this lesson consists in refusing the so-calledpolitical regime fetishism and focusing on the relevant issues of socialstability. These issues are strictly determined by the opinions, hencethe proper subject-matter of political science is identified with them. Asone of the conclusions I propose a thesis that politics is, and ought onlyto be slave of opinions, what is an allusion to a famous sentence fromA Treatise of Human Nature that the reason is, and ought only to be theslave of the passions.

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