Bentham's massive, unfinished Code (1822-32) is the major work of his last years and contains the most important statement of the theory of constitutional democracy which emerges after his well-known `conversion' to political radicalism in 1809-10. He develops here in a final form the theory and institutions of an ideal representative democracy addressed to `all nations and all governments professing liberal opinions'. This first volume, based on the only volume Bentham himself published, covers chapters I-IX on the electorate, legislature, prime minister, and administration. The fully annotated text clarifies and develops historical allusions, and is provided with an especially detailed subject index.

General editor: F. Rosen