Not all of Political Justice is relevant to this study. As its title indicates, much of it deals with politics rather than society. Furthermore it is a wide-ranging book, with long sections on mind and ethics. In spite of its length and range, its argument is coherent, though not well organized. The work is divided into eight books. The first three lay the groundwork, treating human nature, ethics, and general principles of government. Book 4 is a miscellany, but it contains arguments against revolution and for political change by means of education and enlightenment. Book 5 discusses politics under the traditional headings of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, looking forward to the ‘euthanasia of government’ in the (probably remote) future, recommending representative democracy in the meantime. Book 6 is a defence of free thought and discussion, Book 7 a critique of punishment, which Godwin hopes will one day be abolished. Book 8, our main concern, defends equality of property.

Whereas Ogilvie signified his adherence to the creed of enlightenment in passing, referring occasionally to the spread of science and decline of prejudice, Godwin shouts the faith from almost every page. He makes it abundantly clear to the reader, not only that ‘enlightenment’ has made radical criticism possible for him, but also that he has taken the ideal of enlightenment on board to such an extent as to regard the fearless and iconoclastic pursuit of truth to be one of the highest duties.