 Herder is not usually thought of as a political philosopher. But he was one, and moreover one whose political ideals are more admirable, theoretical stances more defensible, and thematic focuses of more enduring relevance than those of any other German philosopher of the period (including Kant). His most developed treatment of political philosophy occurs relatively late, in a work prompted by the French Revolution of 1789: the Letters for the Advancement of Humanity (1793–7) (including the early draft from 1792, which is important for its frank statement of his views about domestic politics).