Exploring the Social Dimensions of Hume’s Political Philosophy: A Sociological Perspective

Purpose: This study explores the social dimensions of David Hume’s political philosophy, specifically focusing on the relationships between political legitimacy, social cohesion, and public trust in governance. It aims to examine how Hume’s theories of social order, conventions, and authority can shed light on contemporary political challenges, including institutional distrust, political fragmentation, and social inequality. Method: A quantitative research design was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. Data was collected from a sample of 312 respondents through structured questionnaires distributed to individuals across diverse demographics. The study used SmartPLS software to analyze the data and assess the relationships between independent variables (e.g., perceptions of justice, conformity to social conventions, and acceptance of political authority) and the dependent variables (political legitimacy, social cohesion, and public trust in governance). Moderating effects of trust in institutions and perceived economic inequality were also examined. Findings: The study found that all the proposed hypotheses were supported. Specifically, perceptions of justice, conformity to conventions, acceptance of political authority, and inherent sociability significantly influenced political legitimacy, social cohesion, and public trust in governance. Furthermore, trust in institutions and perceived economic inequality were identified as key moderating factors in these relationships, shaping the strength and direction of the connections between the variables. Originality/Significance: This research offers a novel application of Hume’s political philosophy to contemporary issues of governance and political legitimacy, providing insights into how social dynamics such as trust and economic inequality impact political systems today. Received: 30 November 2024 / Accepted: 5 April 2025 / Published: 08 May 2025