内容简介

This edition of Voltaire`s political writings presents a broad selection of his most interesting and controversial texts,many of which have not previously been translated into English.They range over the themes of the nature and legitimacy of political power ,law and the social order ,crime and punishment,liberty and humanity ,war and peace ,and the growing disorder in the French economy ,as well as touching on specific issues and events in pre-Revolutionary France to whichVoltaire
responded and in which he was closely involved,including the Seven Years`s　War and relations with Frederich II ,the Genevan quarrels of the 1760s,and the sensational
trials of Jean Calas,Sirven and the Chevalier De La Barre.Acomprehensive introduction explors the background to these texts ,which together reflect the
full range of Voltair`s responses to the most significant issues of his time.