Exam Notes. I know you are all probably not that interested in reading my exam notes from Pocock's Virtue, Commerce, and History. My question, however (mostly for myself) is whether even taking these notes is at all useful. Like I think these notes say something, but I am concerned by the number of question marks, which indicate confusion, e.g., is x and such really true or a total misinterpretation on my part?

Anyway, here's Whiggism for you. Below, on other posts for today, there is a cartoon and a picture of a pretty outfit to make up for this.

Chapter 11: ‘The varieties of Whiggism from Exclusion to Reform: A history of ideology and discourse.”
Complication of defining Whiggism across the period. Negotiation of different categories: when Whig and Tory overlap; the difference between “Old Whig” and “Modern Whig.” Evolution of a morality of politeness in the early 18th century (the Spectator circle). Toryism slowly fading (?) into a few real Jacobites in the country. Concern that virtue of the arts losing integrity under corruption of Walpolean polemic. But also idea that “Augustan” art flourished under peace and prosperity, and therefore also under Whig supremacy (?). Idea of Toryism changing with George III and his apparent effort (from the POV of the Whigs?) to reinstate power of the crown (“patriot king”). Commerce in C18 held to entail presence of an aristocracy. Regrouping of Whigs with French Revolution. Romantic idea that Whigs associated with mechanical philosophy. Romantic radicalism flowing from both republican (?) and Tory source. Coleridge’s “Tory utopia.” Neomedievalism.