It is a widely held conviction in Humean literature that, for Hume, institutions and good laws are primary in securing peace and order rather than morality or a virtuous body of citizenry in a society. This conviction partly relies on Hume"s rejection of the classical republican idea of virtue which considers institutions as well as a virtuous body of citizenry as essential for politics. Although Hume rejects the classical set of virtues as inhumane, obsolete, and impractical for the newly

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... ing modern society, this should not lead us to see Hume"s politics as wholly untouched by any idea of virtue. Rather, Hume advocates a new set of virtues that he thinks will suit the needs of the modern era. A comprehensive analysis of Hume"s politics would reveal that Hume considers a virtuous body of citizenry as significant as institutions and good laws in politics.