10 Books Every Politics Student Should Read | Oxford Scholastica

10 Political Science Books Everyone Should Read  - dummies

25 Most Influential Political Science Books 2010–2020 | Academic Influence

The text starts by expressing its focus on providing practical advice to rulers, as demonstrated through its dedication to Lorenzo de’ Medici, Florence's ruler. Machiavelli’s straightforward language and uncomplicated logic reflect his intention to offer easily comprehensible counsel. The initial chapters outline the book’s focus on autocratic systems and detail different types of principalities and rulers. These initial sections also discuss maintaining control over unfamiliar territories and introduce key themes like power politics, warfare strategies, and gaining popular favor.

The book's core offers pragmatic guidance on various topics, including the pros and cons of different paths to power, the acquisition and retention of new states, handling internal rebellion, forming alliances, and maintaining a robust military. While Machiavelli’s perspectives on free will, human nature, and ethics are implied in these chapters, they do not become explicit discussion points until later.

The latter part of the book discusses the qualities of the ruler himself, emphasizing that high ideals often result in poor governance. It suggests that while certain virtues are admirable, they can be detrimental to the state, and similarly, while some vices are undesirable, they can sometimes be crucial for the wellbeing of the state. Machiavelli concludes with the argument that the appearance of virtue may be more vital than actual virtue, which can be a liability. In the final sections, the book connects to Italy's disunity, providing an analysis of past Italian rulers' failures. It ends with a fervent appeal to future rulers for the restoration of Italy’s honor and pride, especially urging Lorenzo de’ Medici to take the lead.

The Prince

El Príncipe

The Political Science Books Top 100 - Listmuse.com

The driving question behind this philosophical exploration is the nature of justice: why humans choose to act justly, and whether justice is innately beneficial, or simply a concept enforced by the powerful onto the weak. To delve into these questions, a definition of justice is proposed that focuses on human psychology, rather than observable actions, asserting that justice holds intrinsic value. The exploration leads to the presentation of justice as a principle of specialization, which states that every individual should commit to the societal role they are naturally suited for and avoid meddling in other roles.

This philosophical journey proposes an analogy between societal justice and individual justice. It postulates that the soul of each person is divided into three components: the rational, desiring truth; the spirited, craving honor; and the appetitive, lusting primarily after wealth. The idea is that societal justice is mirrored in an individual when the rational component governs, supported by the spirited, with the appetitive following the rational. This concept is further expanded by aligning these components with societal classes: producers are driven by their appetites, warriors by their spirits, and rulers by their rational faculties. The rulers, or philosopher kings, are the focus of the narrative as they possess knowledge of the Forms - abstract realities that exist in relation to the visible world.

A series of allegories are used to detail the philosophers' understanding of the Forms, the ultimate one being 'the Form of the Good', the source of all knowledge, truth, and beauty. The philosophers, through their desire for truth, transcend the visible world to grasp the nature of the Forms. It's further argued that the philosophers are the most just, as they aim to fulfill the desires of the rational part of the soul. Finally, it's proposed that justice, intrinsically connected to the Forms, is the greatest good because it enables the assimilation of the ultimate good - the Form of the Good - into one's life. Interestingly, the narrative ends by denouncing poetry for appealing to the basest part of the soul and promoting injustice, reinforcing the importance of justice in both society and the individual.

The Republic

La República

Democracy in America

La Democracia en América

The text explores an ideology that posits that societal changes and historical progress are driven by class conflicts, which emerge due to economic exploitation of one class by another. These societal relationships are profoundly shaped by the prevalent modes of production. However, with time, these relationships become incompatible with the evolving dynamics of production. This discrepancy propels a societal revolution, leading to the emergence of a new ruling class, highlighting a 'march of history' steered by broader economic forces.

Specifically, this ideology focuses on the contemporary industrial society marked by class conflict between the capital-owning bourgeoisie and the working proletariat. The capitalist system, however, is rapidly becoming incompatible with this exploitative relationship. Consequently, the proletariat is poised to spearhead a revolution. This forthcoming revolution is distinct from its antecedents, as past revolutions merely redistributed property in favor of the emergent ruling class. Nonetheless, the proletariat, by its very nature, possesses no means to claim property. Therefore, when they ascend to power, they will need to abolish private property ownership, leading to the disappearance of class distinctions.

Advocates of this ideology argue that this evolution is inevitable due to the inherent instability of capitalism. They aim to support this revolution and endorse groups and alliances that are propelling history towards this inevitable conclusion. They maintain that eradicating social classes is not feasible through policy reforms or governmental changes. Instead, a revolution is imperative. The ideology is discussed in four parts: the first part outlines the theory of history and the relationship between proletariat and bourgeoisie. The second part delves into the connection between the adherents of this ideology and the proletariat. The third part critiques previous socialist literature, and the final part examines the partnership between the ideology's proponents and other political factions.

The Communist Manifesto

El Manifiesto Comunista

On Liberty

Sobre la Libertad

The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy

El Lobby Israelí y la Política Exterior de los EE.UU.

The strongest form of social unity and civil tranquility can be achieved by founding a commonwealth based on a collective agreement, according to a particular philosophical argument. The optimal commonwealth, as per this theory, is governed by a supreme entity tasked with safeguarding its security and bestowed with limitless power to maintain collective defense. The ruling entity, metaphorically depicted as the head of a colossal human-like construct made up of its citizens, symbolizes this commonwealth. The construct represents an all-powerful governmental entity needed to maintain peace and avert internal conflict.

The arguments are presented in four sections discussing the nature of man, the concept of a commonwealth, the amalgamation of Christian doctrines with this philosophy, and lastly, the realm of darkness. The initial section lays the groundwork for the entire philosophy, while the remaining segments further extend and expound the initial arguments. The philosophy's cornerstone is the understanding that human nature and all its dynamics can be understood from materialistic principles. The natural condition of humanity, termed the 'state of nature,' is portrayed as inherently brutal and filled with dread. This natural state leads to a war of all against all, pushing humans to yearn for peace. The most effective way to achieve this peace is by creating a strong governing entity through a collective agreement.

The subsequent sections detail the construction of this governing body, the rights and duties of rulers and their subjects, and the political and civil dynamics within the commonwealth. They also examine the compatibility of Christian doctrines with this current philosophy. The final section debunks mistaken religious beliefs and affirms that the implementation of a governing entity is necessary to establish a secure Christian commonwealth. The methodology used in this philosophy mirrors a geometric proof, built on basic principles and definitions where each step of the argument validates the preceding one, leading to an irrefutable conclusion.

13 Best Political Science Books of All Time

The Prince

The Republic

Democracy in America

The Communist Manifesto

On Liberty

The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy

Leviathan

Second Treatise of Government

Man, the State, and War

A Theoretical Analysis

States and Social Revolutions

A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia, and China

The Oxford Handbook of Political Science

Who Governs?

Democracy and Power in the American City

The American Voter

Sources

What To Read Next

13 Best Political Science Books of All Time

The Prince

The Republic

Democracy in America

The Communist Manifesto

On Liberty

The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy

Leviathan

Second Treatise of Government

Man, the State, and War

A Theoretical Analysis

States and Social Revolutions

A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia, and China

The Oxford Handbook of Political Science

Who Governs?

Democracy and Power in the American City

The American Voter

Sources

What To Read Next

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