Read on Twitter
Ok, I'm game, 1 like = 1 book that's influenced my political thinking.
This should be fun. https://twitter.com/Sharon_Kuruvila/status/1287390837530398720
This should be fun. https://twitter.com/Sharon_Kuruvila/status/1287390837530398720
1. Freedom in the Making of Western Culture by Orlando Patterson.
One of the very few books I would say everyone interested in political theory *has* to read. breathtakingly origonal, superbly well written, closely argued.
One of the very few books I would say everyone interested in political theory *has* to read. breathtakingly origonal, superbly well written, closely argued.
Patterson is, for my money, a good candidate for world's greatest living public intellectual. I had the privallige of interviewing him some time back: https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/slavery-and-freedom
2. Ideologies & Political Theory by Freeden.
A challenging book but the model of ideology introduced here has fundamentally shaped my thinking on what political beliefs *are*
https://www.amazon.com/Ideologies-Political-Theory-Conceptual-Approach/dp/019829414X
A challenging book but the model of ideology introduced here has fundamentally shaped my thinking on what political beliefs *are*
https://www.amazon.com/Ideologies-Political-Theory-Conceptual-Approach/dp/019829414X
3. On Liberty, of course.
Modern political theory often views this as an important work, but with gaps, something liberalism has grown from.
I disagree, I think Mill gives us a much more coherent & compelling total structure than modern liberalism.
Modern political theory often views this as an important work, but with gaps, something liberalism has grown from.
I disagree, I think Mill gives us a much more coherent & compelling total structure than modern liberalism.
4. Machiavelli, The Discourses.
Start with this, not the Prince, & honestly stay away from the secondary texts.
Engagent with this work led me to develop my account of humiliation & Republican liberty.
Start with this, not the Prince, & honestly stay away from the secondary texts.
Engagent with this work led me to develop my account of humiliation & Republican liberty.
5. I'll throw in Florentine Histories as well through you could bunch this up with discourses - I often treat them as a single, largly coherent, set of documents.
6. Turning to modern politics, The Long Southern Strategy by @AngieMaxwell1 is a must read for understanding how US politics reached this point.
7. Plato, Republic
I've not talked about it on the podcast much but I've spent a lot of time with it. Fantastically unhinged, mindbending digressions on basically everything.
I've not talked about it on the podcast much but I've spent a lot of time with it. Fantastically unhinged, mindbending digressions on basically everything.
8. Hobhouse, liberalism
Criminally underrated liberal theorist. If liberal history is your thing please go read this (it's very accessible while also achieving a good amount of theoretical depth.)
Criminally underrated liberal theorist. If liberal history is your thing please go read this (it's very accessible while also achieving a good amount of theoretical depth.)
9. The Political Theory of Political thinking, Freeden.
Aims for somthing like a unified field theory of the political, many may not agree with the aproach but there's just so kuch in this work that is valuable.
Aims for somthing like a unified field theory of the political, many may not agree with the aproach but there's just so kuch in this work that is valuable.
10. Private govergment by Elizabeth Anderson.
Freedom in the workplace is such an important and undertheorized topic. Truly wonderful book. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/corporate-government
Freedom in the workplace is such an important and undertheorized topic. Truly wonderful book. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/corporate-government
11. Slavery & Social Death, Patterson.
An exhaustive survey of slavery across all of history that somehow managed to never being boring to read while always tracking back to a provocative central thesis.
An exhaustive survey of slavery across all of history that somehow managed to never being boring to read while always tracking back to a provocative central thesis.
12. Phillip Pettit, The Birth of Ethics.
I went into this thinking I was going to disagree but once I realized what he was trying to do with the argument it all fell into place. Helped develop my thinking on what morality *is* https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/reconstructing-morality
I went into this thinking I was going to disagree but once I realized what he was trying to do with the argument it all fell into place. Helped develop my thinking on what morality *is* https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/reconstructing-morality
13. This collection of essays by @paulkrugman was one of the first thing in economics I read so it gets a place on the list. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-accidental-theorist-and-other-dispatches-from-the-dismal-science_paul-krugman/326289/item/2959570/?mkwid=%7cdm&pcrid=450665973549&pkw=&pmt=&slid=&plc=&pgrid=110661787651&ptaid=pla-1121313270912&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_8GrvePr6gIVF4nICh03JgnhEAQYCyABEgJ7xfD_BwE#isbn=0393046389&idiq=2959570
14. Utilitarianism, Roger Crisp.
Really solid secondary text, I've come back to this a lot and would probabily recomend it as a starting place on the topic. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/utilitarianism
Really solid secondary text, I've come back to this a lot and would probabily recomend it as a starting place on the topic. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/utilitarianism
15. In a similar vein, Why Read Mill Today by Skorupski is the best introductory secondary text on Mill's political theory. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/the-liberty-principle
16. While not a Marxist I actually like orthodox Marxism a lot as a tool, it's a fun way of getting out of your worldview assumptions. I got started with this anthology by Mclellen: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/selected-writings_karl-marx/251342/item/9185070/?mkwid=%7cdm&pcrid=448939279362&pkw=&pmt=&slid=&plc=&pgrid=104167485813&ptaid=pla-894501118442&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoWsjOXr6gIVF4rICh1cCggLEAQYAiABEgJC1vD_BwE#isbn=0198782659&idiq=9185070
17. Whose Body is it Anyway @cecilemyfabre
The first book I read for a podcast interview. Fabre has an increadable clarity in her writing & construction of arguments that will really push your ethical intutitions around. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/episode1
The first book I read for a podcast interview. Fabre has an increadable clarity in her writing & construction of arguments that will really push your ethical intutitions around. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/episode1
18. Economics as Ideology by Hover.
Essential reading on how economic thinking interacts with political ideologies.
Essential reading on how economic thinking interacts with political ideologies.
19. Liberal Langues by Freeden
Less known but well worth reading.
Less known but well worth reading.
20, there's quite a few 'neo-republican' works I could mention.
Let's go with Freedom, by Pettit. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/neo-republicanism
Let's go with Freedom, by Pettit. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/neo-republicanism
21. And also Liberty before Liberalism by Skinner.
I have a few issues with his construction of Machiavelli but it's a wonderful work & an absolute pleasure to read.
I have a few issues with his construction of Machiavelli but it's a wonderful work & an absolute pleasure to read.
22. For somthing a bit differnt . . .
Alexander of Macedon by Green
A dark & thrilling narrative of realpolitik in the ancient world.
Alexander of Macedon by Green
A dark & thrilling narrative of realpolitik in the ancient world.
23. If we're allowed anthologies the Freedom collection by David Miller is the best sourcebook (there's not many) for this concept.
24. Let's do somthing I disagree with . . .
Orthodoxy by Chesterton.
This really isn't my style of thinking at all but I've found myself using some of his metaphors for other purposes & if his writing doesn't put a smile on your face you're not human.
Orthodoxy by Chesterton.
This really isn't my style of thinking at all but I've found myself using some of his metaphors for other purposes & if his writing doesn't put a smile on your face you're not human.
25. Ok, last Freeden one I promise
Rights
I would honestly say this is essential reading if you want to try & wrap your head around all of the things rights have meant.
Rights
I would honestly say this is essential reading if you want to try & wrap your head around all of the things rights have meant.
26. The Political Value of Time @alixabeth
Highly original topic, clearly & persuasively argued, I found the parts on commensuration particullaly valuable. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/time-politics-and-citizenship
Highly original topic, clearly & persuasively argued, I found the parts on commensuration particullaly valuable. https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/time-politics-and-citizenship
27. To be fair Rawls should get a spot. I've critiqued this form of liberalism a lot (see my conversation with @kvallier ) but that I've engaged with it so much means its clearly influenced my thinking.
Let's just say Theory of Justice.
Let's just say Theory of Justice.
27. I realized I don't have any Chomsky on here. That's a big oversight, I read almost all his stuff in university.
Let's go with The Essential Chomsky as an overall anthology, but you could pick any of them.
Let's go with The Essential Chomsky as an overall anthology, but you could pick any of them.
Oops did 2 27's
So 29. Dale Martin, Sex & the single saviour.
Fascinating in for the topic alone but it's also been increadably useful for me in thinking about historical method.
So 29. Dale Martin, Sex & the single saviour.
Fascinating in for the topic alone but it's also been increadably useful for me in thinking about historical method.
30. Mill chapters on socialism.
Honestly a lot of this totally stands up to this day, the argument against desert here is maybe the best it's ever been made.
Honestly a lot of this totally stands up to this day, the argument against desert here is maybe the best it's ever been made.
31. Ok true curveball:
Saint-Simon, On the industrial system.
Kinda nuts but also (I think) really engaging and fun. Go read it.
Saint-Simon, On the industrial system.
Kinda nuts but also (I think) really engaging and fun. Go read it.
32. If I can do a more specific Marx past the anthology then The German Ideology
33. On a lighter note So Frankens Lies, and the Lying Lairs who tell them, was one of the first politics books I ever read. No idea if it would still stand up today.
*Al Franken's
34. Ok this will sound weird but . . . The New Testament.
Thank Dale Martin for this but I did his online course and have spent a *lot* of time with these texts, I'd be lying if I said the process didn't shape my thinking.
Thank Dale Martin for this but I did his online course and have spent a *lot* of time with these texts, I'd be lying if I said the process didn't shape my thinking.
Looking at questions like the historical Jesus really does force you to get super clear about the mothod of doing history, that in turn starts to shape how you aproach other things (still an atheist BTW)
35. You know what my favourite Locke work is?
The first treatise on government.
Everyone starts with the political stuff but I think the theological foundations are actually the heart of the argument, & it's also quite fun to read.
The first treatise on government.
Everyone starts with the political stuff but I think the theological foundations are actually the heart of the argument, & it's also quite fun to read.
36. Dickens, Bleak House.
There's a few I could have gone with, yes it's fiction but this is overtly political writing that left it's mark on me.
There's a few I could have gone with, yes it's fiction but this is overtly political writing that left it's mark on me.
37. Christ, I've not done Keynes yet!
It's an essay not a book but I think The Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren is my all time favourite.
It's an essay not a book but I think The Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren is my all time favourite.
38. Ok here we go, here we go . . .
The Positivist Dispute in German sociology
I think I am the only person on earth, including the books contributors, who doesn't actively hate this volume.
The Positivist Dispute in German sociology
I think I am the only person on earth, including the books contributors, who doesn't actively hate this volume.
39. Ceaser, the Gallic War.
You know I like my first hand sources and this is a jem. So rare to get this extended comentary from a key player. Disturbing but also complex, far from simple propaganda the writers motivations are sometimes clear, sometimes mysterious.
You know I like my first hand sources and this is a jem. So rare to get this extended comentary from a key player. Disturbing but also complex, far from simple propaganda the writers motivations are sometimes clear, sometimes mysterious.
40. Courrupttion in America by @ZephyrTeachout is essential reading on the topic - what courrupttion meant to the founders and what it should mean to us.
41. Jane Austin's Emma.
I will explain why I think this is a super interesting work on the nature of power in an upcoming solo episode.
I will explain why I think this is a super interesting work on the nature of power in an upcoming solo episode.
42. Effective Altruism has been an influence on me. Theres a few books here, lets go with 'Doing Good Better' by @willmacaskill https://www.amazon.com/Doing-Good-Better-Effective-Altruism/dp/1592409660
43. Wittgenstein, philosophical investigations.
I'm very influenced by a philosophy of langague that can trace its history back to this.
I'm very influenced by a philosophy of langague that can trace its history back to this.
44. Transitional Justice @drcolleenmurphy
I don't know much about this topic, but just judging the work by its ability to develop & convey it's argument it really is a perfect book.
I don't know much about this topic, but just judging the work by its ability to develop & convey it's argument it really is a perfect book.
45. If I can do anouther Patterson (I get really into specific authors):
Rituals of blood.
Just something else. Elegant. Disturbing. Crashes through the mental walls we construct about ourselves with the force and disruption of a shrapnel bomb.
Rituals of blood.
Just something else. Elegant. Disturbing. Crashes through the mental walls we construct about ourselves with the force and disruption of a shrapnel bomb.
46. The origins of English individualism/ Alan Macfarlane
I used this a lot in my MA trying to provide a narrative for the creation of free market ideology.
I used this a lot in my MA trying to provide a narrative for the creation of free market ideology.
OK, I see this has collected more likes overnight, will add to it shortly.
OK, back to it.
47. Crack by David Faber definitely helped me understand the political process behind the drug-war/ overcriminalization better.
47. Crack by David Faber definitely helped me understand the political process behind the drug-war/ overcriminalization better.
48. Putin's People by @CatherineBelton
Amazingly researched absorbing read, I learned a lot about Trump & Russia from this. (Interview with the author upcoming)
Amazingly researched absorbing read, I learned a lot about Trump & Russia from this. (Interview with the author upcoming)
49. Property and Prophets, E. K. Hunt
A readable walkthrough the Marxist take on on economic institutions and ideologies over the past 2 centuries.
A readable walkthrough the Marxist take on on economic institutions and ideologies over the past 2 centuries.
50. You know what, if I quote something several times in other contexts then it qualifies as having informed my political thinking.
The First, by Stanley Fish
The First, by Stanley Fish
51. Paul Krugman gets another one. This collection was big in shaping my economic thinking during the Bush-era:
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Unraveling-Century-Updated-Expanded/dp/0393326055
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Unraveling-Century-Updated-Expanded/dp/0393326055
52. Not technically a book (but its as long/ in-depth) but Dan Carlin's history of WW1 - Blueprint for Armageddon is fantastic, definitely got a lot out of that.
53. Kinda a normie one but everyone should still read it - the Federalist Papers.
54. I Claudius by Robert Graves.
Loved this as a kid. Is it historical? Absolutely not. Subtle? No. But ultimately is a it a well-written tale? Also no.
Somehow though it is more than the sum of its parts, your kinda not human if you don't get dragged into it.
Loved this as a kid. Is it historical? Absolutely not. Subtle? No. But ultimately is a it a well-written tale? Also no.
Somehow though it is more than the sum of its parts, your kinda not human if you don't get dragged into it.
