I found Hume’s idea that what motivates an individual or an economy is their pursuit of luxury to be interesting, because he later details how extreme economic inequality can cause negative market forces which will neither further enrich the capital of the wealthy nor provide benefit to the proletariat. He touches on ideals which are supportive of the worker as an individual in saying, “Here therefore seems to be a kind of opposition between the greatness of the state and the happiness of the subject.” I would characterize Hume’s ideas as neo-liberal as he believes that there should be minimal governmental restrictions on commerce and that the motivating factors in the market should be the accumulation of capital. Truly, he lives in a time that pre-dates the idea, but everything he outlines as his ideal market presupposes many of the neo-liberal philosophies. He argues that men should be animated by “the spirit of avarice and industry,” which coincides with his belief in private industry. He asserts that the market would be better driven by private industries if they were operating under less taxation and government regulation, which was interesting to be, because he lived during a time where taxation was certainly heavier, but regulation was lighter leading to several adverse effects. 

One of the passages I would like to discuss further to understand better is when Hume says,”If strangers will not take any particular commodity of ours, we must cease to labour in it.” I am curious what experiences influenced his policy on foreign commerce. I am unfamiliar with Tory political theory so knowing what informed his view would be helpful. 

How would Hume balance the will of the worker against the state, and further, against those who are in control of the means of production. He admits it is not especially advantageous to relax their burden, but simultaneously asserts the importance of their ability to attain leisure and luxury. I am curious how exactly the conflicting interests of the worker and capitalist ought to be balanced.