The Duties of the State: An Address by the Honourable David Dudley Field, of the United States Bar; An American View of Government Interference

by David Dudley Field II

Discover the stakes of state power and individual liberty in an American view of governance.

This concise work gathers a provocative address by the Hon. David Dudley Field and related notes that examine how government interference can shape commerce, property, and personal freedom. It presents a framework for understanding the proper role of the state and the protections needed for private enterprise.

This edition frames a debate that has echoed through markets and politics for generations. It emphasizes the value of liberty, the risks of overreach, and the practical arguments that defend private initiative in a changing world. Readers will encounter a clear, accessible argument for limiting state action while remaining mindful of the needs of those who cannot protect themselves. A historical lens on state policy and its impact on business and property. Arguments for individual liberty as a foundation of economic and social life. A practical discussion of how defense associations and private interests can respond to state pressure. Context for contemporary debates about government regulation and market freedom. Ideal for readers interested in constitutional questions, economic policy, and the long-running tension between state power and personal initiative. This edition offers a focused entry point into a classic argument about how societies balance freedom with governance.

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2018

About the author

David Dudley Field II was an American lawyer and law reformer who made major contributions to the development of American civil procedure. His greatest accomplishment was engineering the move away from common law pleading towards code pleading, which culminated in the enactment of the Field Code in 1850 by the state of New York.

Not to be confused with his father, David Dudley Field I.