Politics (selections)
Aristotle
This foundational work of political philosophy systematically examines various forms of government, citizenship, and the ideal state, laying the groundwork for empirical political analysis and comparative politics.
The Prince
Niccolò Machiavelli
A classic treatise on political power, strategy, and the acquisition and maintenance of rule. Machiavelli’s pragmatic and often controversial advice on leadership has profoundly influenced political thought.
Leviathan (selections)
Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes’s seminal work argues for a strong, centralized government to prevent civil war and maintain social order, based on his theory of the social contract and the “state of nature.”
Two Treatises of Government (selections)
John Locke
A cornerstone of liberal political thought, Locke’s work defends individual rights, limited government, and the right of revolution, profoundly influencing modern democratic theory and constitutionalism.
The Social Contract (selections)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau explores the concept of the “general will” and argues for a form of government where legitimate political authority comes from a social contract among free and equal individuals, influencing revolutionary thought.
Democracy in America (selections)
Alexis de Tocqueville
A classic analysis of American democracy in the 19th century, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and unique characteristics, and offering enduring insights into democratic societies and their challenges.
Politics as a Vocation (selections)
Max Weber
This influential essay defines the state, explores different forms of political legitimacy (traditional, charismatic, legal-rational), and discusses the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities of engaging in politics.
A Theory of Justice (selections)
John Rawls
A highly influential work of modern political philosophy that proposes a theory of justice as fairness, based on principles that rational individuals would agree to from an “original position” behind a “veil of ignorance.”