13 Best Political Science Books
We analyzed 5+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 13 best political science books according to the internet — not just one person's opinion. Each book on this list was mentioned by at least two independent sources, and the ranking is based on how frequently each title appears across all sources studied. This consensus-based approach ensures you get recommendations backed by multiple experts, not a single reviewer's bias.
Goal: Find the best Political Science books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).
Method:
- Search for "best political science books" and study the top 5+ pages.
- Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
- Rank the results neatly here.
13 Best Political Science Books
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).
The Prince
Also recommended by
8 people
Neil deGrasse Tyson recommended this bookNeil deGrasse Tyson
"To learn that people not in power will do all they can to acquire it, and people in power will do all they can to keep it." - Neil deGrasse Tyson
Neil deGrasse Tyson's recommendation of this book 
Stewart Brand recommended this bookStewart Brand
Stewart Brand recommended this book on his "Selected Books for the Manual for Civilization" blog post.
Stewart Brand's recommendation of this book 
Ryan Holiday recommended this bookRyan Holiday
Ryan Holiday recommended this book on his blog.
Ryan Holiday's recommendation of this book 
Eric Ripert recommended this bookEric Ripert
"A fascinating study and still wholly relevant." - Eric Ripert
Eric Ripert's recommendation of this book 
Fred Wilson recommended this bookFred Wilson
Fred Wilson recommended this book on his blog.
Fred Wilson's recommendation of this book 
Garry Tan recommended this bookGarry Tan
"Methods still valuable and can be used for good." - Garry Tan
Garry Tan's recommendation of this book +2
More recommendations
- Ryan Shea
Ryan Shea recommended this book on his website.
- Patrick Bet-David
Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
- Ryan Shea
The Republic
Also recommended by
6 people
Mark Zuckerberg recommended this bookMark Zuckerberg
On the "favorite books" section of Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook profile.
Mark Zuckerberg's recommendation of this book 
Sam Altman recommended this bookSam Altman
One of Sam Altman's answers to "What are some of the best books you recommend for a young startup founder?"
Sam Altman's recommendation of this book 
Maria Popova recommended this bookMaria Popova
"I’m actually gobsmacked that this isn’t required in order to be sworn into office, like the Constitution is required for us American immigrants when it comes time to gain American citizenship." - Maria Popova
Maria Popova's recommendation of this book 
Vlad Tenev recommended this bookVlad Tenev
"I like the classics such as The Republic by Plato and The Art of War by Sun Tzu." - Vlad Tenev
Vlad Tenev's recommendation of this book 
Nolan Bushnell recommended this bookNolan Bushnell
"[One of my ten favorite books] I might think of if I were asked the question at an interview this minute." - Nolan Bushnell
Nolan Bushnell's recommendation of this book 
Mark Manson recommended this bookMark Manson
Mark Manson recommended this book on his website.
Mark Manson's recommendation of this book
Democracy in America
Also recommended by
2 people
Patrick Collison recommended this bookPatrick Collison
Patrick Collison labeled this book "particularly great."
Patrick Collison's recommendation of this book 
Patrick Bet-David recommended this bookPatrick Bet-David
Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
Patrick Bet-David's recommendation of this book
Leviathan
Man, the State, and War
A Theoretical Analysis
On Liberty
Second Treatise of Government
States and Social Revolutions
A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia, and China
The American Voter
The Communist Manifesto
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
The Oxford Handbook of Political Science
Who Governs?
Democracy and Power in the American City
Sources
- 1
10 Books Every Politics Student Should Read | Oxford Scholastica
oxfordscholastica.com
- 2
10 Political Science Books Everyone Should Read - dummies
dummies.com
- 3
25 Most Influential Political Science Books 2010–2020 | Academic Influence
academicinfluence.com
- 4
The Political Science Books Top 100 - Listmuse.com
listmuse.com
- 5
10 Best Political Science Books for Beginners
sociologygroup.com
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.
Comments
Did we miss something? Have feedback?
Help us improve this page by sharing your thoughts