Social Statics;

Libertarianism

Spencer's (1820-1903) first book, and a key work in the development of Libertarianism by the philosopher best-remembered for coining the phrase 'survival of the fittest'.

Social Statics is 'concerned with the "equilibrium of a perfect society" in the future, rather than the forces (or "dynamics") by which society was struggling towards perfection in the immediate present' it contains 'important pointers to the ways in which Spencer's thought was developing. The most important of these were his treatment of human society as governed by immutable natural laws, his vision of the role of the state as confined to the enforcement of those natural laws, his emphasis on continuous functional adaptation in both institutions and organisms, and his formulation of a law of 'equal freedom' for each individual, limited only by "the similar freedoms of all". The book also reflected the strain of utopian radicalism in Spencer's thought inherited from his early background: it denied the legitimacy of private property in land, held out equality of the sexes as a moral ideal, and advocated the training of children by persuasion and rational argument rather than discipline and coercion'.

First edition, third thousand (i.e. reissue of the American edition); 8vo (20 x 13 cm); front endpaper excised, occasional light spotting; contemporary half calf, marbled boards, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece to spine, sprinkled edges, a little rubbed, very good.