Religion and Politics George Berkeley’s Understanding of Ireland’s Wellbeing in Early and Late Editions of The Querist

Abstract

The article is an analysis of the early (published in the 1730s) and late (published in the 1750s) editions of The Querist by George Berkeley. It is aimed at showing differences in Berkeley’s suggestions for improving the wellbeing of the inhabitants of Ireland as regards the religious and political diversity in the country in the first half of the 18th century. The article consists of two parts. In the first part Berkeley’s attitude towards Catholics and Protestants is studied. The second part includes an analysis of his understanding of the political relationship between Ireland and Great Britain in the 1730s and 1750s.