His optimistic belief in the impotence of government against advancing opinion (which partly glosses and extends Hume's comment that all government is founded on opinion) is balanced by some sociologically perceptive comments on the baleful influence that certain types of political power have on those who exercise it or are subject to it.
But seven months into his presidency, Mr. Trump is faced with an uncomfortable situation: Fewer and fewer business leaders are willing to be associated with a president who continues to advance opinions and policies that are deeply unpopular.
"We welcome a diversity of opinion but are advancing the opinions of those who are most affected by these stereotypes and taunts.
What incentives or tactics have proven effective in advancing your opinions or arguments?
According to Mr. Smith, the I.R.S. normally does not provide advance opinions in cases involving splits between debt and equity.
Tax authorities issue tax rulings, or advance opinions, in order to explain how local tax rules will be applied in individual cases, and companies rely on these to take investment decisions.
With his outlook, he is again advancing an opinion that is well outside the Wall Street consensus.
If I were advancing this opinion in the form of a tweet or comment, I could insert the acronym IMO, so proving that the standard dead white male language of Jane Austen is now being assailed not only by expansive phrases from institutions that wish to sound more important, but also by piddling abbreviations from individuals who wish to sound pressed for time.
He had become a close confidant of senior Conservative Party figures Anthony Eden and Neville Chamberlain in this period, and was strident in advancing the opinion of Australia (and the dominions more broadly) that negotiation and compromise with Nazi Germany was preferable to war. Bruce actively participated in the negotiations for the Munich Agreement.
But in fact, there is no shortage of contemporary writers all too willing to advance controversial opinions on big subjects, whether it is Nicholson Baker offering a pacifist reinterpretation of World War II in his new book "Human Smoke" or Martin Amis speculating about the libidinal hang-ups of radical Islamists in his current essay collection, "The Second Plane".
He had a passion for journalism and was experienced in using the press to advance his opinions.
