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Canada German Liberalism & Wilhelm von Humboldt: 1252 Speers Road Units 1 & 2 A Reassessment Oakville, Ontario L6L 5N9 by The Hon. John Roberts, P.C. Ph/Fax 905.825.2130

U.S.A. This is an important book not simply because it deals with one PMB 145, 4500 Witmer Industrial Estates of the most remarkable individuals of German history of the Niagara Falls, New York 14305-1386 late 18th-early 19th centuries, but because it explores some new Ph/Fax 1.800.387.8992 foundations of liberalism in Germany. [email protected] “Humboldt represents a different aspect of Germany than that we usually associate with later Bismarkian notions of the central role of the bureaucraticstate. We do not generally think of German political thinkers (apart from Kant) as significant contributors to the development of the liberal tradition. Yet, in both his writings and in his political and governmental life, Humboldt’sabsolute defence of liberty, advocacy of individuality, scepticism about the role of the state, and active promotion of liberal and democratic institutions make him an outstanding exemplar of the often neglected German branch of classical liberalism” - from the Introduction by John Roberts Wilhelm von Humboldt has been called by Madame de Stael “the greatest intellect in Europe,” while Talleyrand called him “one of the three ablest statesmen of Europe.” He was a poet, classicist, translator, author of books on history, aesthetics, anthropology, linguistics, political theory and government institutions, a public servant, educational reformer, diplomat, very close friend and intellectual comrade to Schiller and Goethe and he lived through the age of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna. This new study is based on a complete and thorough reading of von Humboldt’s writings and biography. The focus is to re-assess the origins and particular nature of von Humboldt’s life and writings in the context of an understanding of contemporary liberalism and liberal theory. The author asserts that German liberalism requires a re-evaluation and the works of Wilhelm von Humboldt are a significant clue to that reconsideration. The Hon. John Roberts, P.C., hold a D. Phil from Oxford University, has taught political theory at the University of Toronto and various other universities. He had a diplomatic career in the Canadian foreign service prior to becoming a Member of the Canadian House of Commons and then a Cabinet Minister, serving in a number of portfolios under Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He is the author of numerous articles in political theory and The Liberal Agenda. Humanities • Pub Date: May. 2008 • 200 pages • ISBN 0-88962-826-2