earlier versions exist, hidden beneath headings that would not suggest that the main text treats Ramsay’s oration. It is worthwhile to consider the headings in the Freemason’s Magazine. In 1794 Ramsay’s most cosmopolitan paragraphs seem to suggest that they explain the “social influence of freemasonry” which three years later was slightly altered to “the influence of freemasonry on society”. I find those claims most remarkable. They imply that this influence is mainly about inducing cosmopolitan values into society, meaning that they differ substantially from other treaties on the topic concerning the relationship between freemasonry and society. In numerous articles, songs and masonic orations (in fact up to our times) across the continent, freemasonry is tripped of potential influence upon society (and that the “profane” world by definition will never comprehend freemasonry) other than that it produces virtuous men and that a larger number of virtuous men in a society will influence it in the direction of a general improvement.8 An extension of this idea is that masonic charity has a positive impact upon society. Such a position is represented (for example) by an article with an almost identical heading as above in a masonic periodical published in 1784-1786 in Vienna, the Journal für Freymaurer 1784:I (p. 135): “Einfluss der Maurerei auf die bürgerliche Gesellschaft“, “The Influence of Freemasonry on Civic Society”. In contrast, an article entitled “Über den Kosmopolitismus des Freimaurers”, “On a Freemason’s Cosmopolitanism” in the same journal 1785:VII (p. 114) calls for the adoption of cosmopolitan values as a moral duty for every freemason. But let us return to Ramsay. Using a modern term, “good governance” in Ramsay’s


view comprises long-lasting institutions, wise laws, and order that are extended to all countries and handed over from generation to generation. The focus of good governance is on a global scale, involving universalismand anattempt to adopt/adjust to the genius and interest of all nations. To establish good governance requires moral qualities, philanthropy and a general love of mankind. A “failed state” is based on military aggression, the violent expansion of its territory, a striving for hegemony and an ill- understood patriotism. In Ramsay’s view, each nation has its own genius and its own interests. However, in the subsequent part of the text it becomes perfectly clear that these variations do not constitute a definite dividing line:


“Men are not to be essentially distinguished by the difference of tongues which they speak, of


clothes which they wear, of countries which they inhabit, nor of dignities with which they are ornamented: the whole world is no other than one great republic, of which each nation is a family, and each individual


8 As recently as November 2007, an official of a masonic organisation stated: “In that context, I was rather surprised that some of you had been discussing the role of Freemasonry in a changing Europe and how Freemasonry can influence, for the common good, the social and moral development of the new Europe. The Home Grand Lodges – England, Ireland and Scotland – would respond that Freemasonry has no role outside Freemasonry and that the only influence it should be seeking is over itself and its members.” Source:


www.freemasons- freemasonry.com/phpnews/show_news.php?uid=84 (accessed 28th May 2008). Is this the “mighty influence” of freemasonry Anderson waswriting about in 1723?


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