The age of the universal consumer: a reconsideration of Ricardo's politics

摘要: This paper reconsiders Ricardo's political thought, its relationship with his economy and, more generally, connection the ‘philosophical radicalism’ of Bentham and James Mill. It is arguedinter alia, that politics were utilitarian individualistic; he developed a notion shared, homogeneous interest; believed individuals should know their ‘real’ interests as condition for suffrage; subscribed to doctrine virtual representation. also argued Ricardo was considerably less ‘radical’ in views than some previous commentators have recognized.