Outside the law: emergency and executive power

"So many unexpected things" : contingency and character in modern political thought

"Without the prescription of the law" : virtue and discretion in Locke's theory of prerogative

"All was confusion and disorder" : regularity and character in Hume's political thought

"The king can do no wrong" : Blackstone on the executive in law

"It squints towards monarchy" : constitutional flexibility and the powers of the president

A "patriotic and dignifying president" : republican virtue and the presidency

Conclusion.