This is a classic of the Western philosophical tradition, so one hesitates to say anything about it. It makes for a somewhat heavy reading, as each sentence and paragraph compresses a large number of ideas, and there seems to be an underlying incoherence in its narrative. I often found myself shaking my head in vigorous puzzlement and disagreement. Such a work requires much deeper study and analysis, which I do not have the time for. However, the most interesting and topical portions are those on the machinations of populist rulers, tyranny of the majority, contraction of citizens' liberty in the name of national security, and the role of religion in the state (the last portion of the treatise, and the most incoherent of all). ( )