The excellencie of a free-state ; or, The right constitution of a commonwealth / Marchamont Nedham ; edited and with an introduction by Blair Worden.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nedham, Marchamont, 1620-1678.

Contributor:

Womersley, David.

Series:

Thomas Hollis library

The Thomas Hollis library

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science--Early works to 1800.

Political science.

Republicanism--Great Britain--History--17th century.

Republicanism.

History.

Great Britain--Politics and government--1642-1660.

Great Britain.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

cviii, 211 pages ; 24 cm.

Other Title:

Right constitution of a commonwealth

Place of Publication:

Indianapolis : Liberty Fund, [2011]

Summary:

First published in 1656, and compiled from previously written editorials in the parliamentarian newsbook "Mercurius Politicus," "The Excellencie of a Free-State"addressed a dilemma in English politics, namely, what kind of government should the Commonwealth adopt? One possibility was to revert to the ancient constitution and create a Cromwellian monarchy. The alternative was the creation of parliamentary sovereignty, in which there would be a "due and orderly succession of supreme authority in the hands of the people's representatives." Nedham was convinced that only the latter would "best secure the liberties and freedoms of the people from the encroachments and usurpations of tyranny." Marchamont Nedham (1620-1678) was a polemicist, pamphleteer, and editor of "Mercurius Politicus." Blair Worden is Research Professor of History, Royal Holloway College, University of London.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780865978089

0865978085

9780865978096

0865978093

OCLC:

653089106