David Hume: Moral and Political Theorist

It may take a while for Hardin's book on David Hume to become recognized as the major contribution to political science that it is. The title, although certainly appropriate, may lead prospective readers to assume, wrongly, that the book is of interest mainly to scholars who specialize in David Hume. But this masterful work lays out the whole project of modern political science, as informed by rational modeling approaches. Hardin outlines and explains rational modeling (especially game theory) in order to explicate Hume's arguments and insights, which, he argues, were vastly more advanced than is generally recognized. And through Hardin's approach, the reader is twice enlightened, for in order to reveal Hume's theoretical strategies, Hardin also provides a spare and elegant account of a modern formal and empirical politcal/social science. From this modern perspective, we can see what Hume, without benefit of the clarifying concepts and proofs of contemporary social science, was really arguing for. We can also see, in broad but incisive strokes, what modern political science is. Regrettably, this book and the controversies it may provoke will probably be confined, at first, to a comparatively small circle of theorists and specialists concerned with Hume's work. But it should gain a much wider currency; it should be at the center of any serious political science curriculum.