Richard Cobden (1804-65) was the leading liberal thinker of his generation, and it was primarily through his efforts that the Corn Laws were repealed and that classical liberalism became the dominant political theory of the United Kingdom for over half a century. His first pamphlet was published in 1835 and his last in 1862. This collection was published two years after his death, and was regularly reprinted on both sides of the Atlantic well into the twentieth century. Volume 1 includes Cobden's first two pamphlets, England, Ireland and America and Russia, which argue that British foreign policy benefited only the 'establishment' while the ordinary people were forced, through excessive taxation, to finance military adventures. Advocating free trade, low taxation, reduced military spending and improvements to popular education, he suggests Britain should concentrate on improving conditions in Ireland rather than engage in sabre-rattling in the face of Russian expansionism.
- ISBN10 1154130789
- ISBN13 9781154130782
- Publish Date 1 February 2012 (first published 10 February 2010)
- Publish Status Unknown
- Out of Print 19 January 2017
- Publish Country US
- Imprint General Books
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 130
- Language English