Nordicum-Mediterraneum (Mar 2009)
Lessons for Liberalism: Lord Brougham's Philosophy of Italian Politics
Abstract
In this paper I attempt to give an historically accurate statement of the fundamentals of Henry Peter Brougham, First Baron Brougham and Vaux's (1778-1867) political philosophy and to show how he seeks guidance in his development of this philosophy from the materials of history in general and Italian history in particular. The article seeks to explain Brougham's view that history should be written in a "non-historicist," "objective," "absolutist" and "judgmental" manner and that this position is linked to his belief that there are rationally demonstrable supreme objects of legitimate government which can be shown to be obligatory on all governments at all times however much the prevailing historical conditions may limit or condition actual practical choices. Brougham will be shown to be a proponent of representative, popular government over an extended territory as the best means to attaining the legitimate objects of government in the form of domestic order and external security. Brougham comes to this conclusion while being aware of the great advantages to be had from the absolute rule of one wise and virtuous monarch and the necessity for a purely democratic constitution when the conditions of public enlightenment and social advancement have reached their apogee. In outlining this portrait the article indicates some of the connecting links between Brougham's thought and that of both ancient and modern political philosophers as it was known to him. We find in Brougham a certain blend or melding of various strands within the tradition of liberal thought which as a central figure in the politics of the British Empire during the first third of the nineteenth century he was able to advance on the practical level. It is the hope of this article to contribute in some small way to the re-discovery of a heretofore undeservedly neglected or at least underestimated historical figure.
