6 Books To Quarantine By, Part 3: Political Philosophy
The various Covid-19 quarantines took most people by surprise. During that time, I’ve received numerous requests for reading suggestions. There are so many books to recommend, and if you’ve subscribed to the podcast, you get plenty of suggestions. In this series of articles, we’ve narrowed it down to a handful in very specific categories.
So here are 6 book recommendations, in no particular order, by AnarchoChristian for Political Philosophy.
6. For a New Liberty by Murray Rothbard
For A New Liberty, in every way deserves its subtitle, “A Libertarian Manifesto.” It hits on every aspect of libertarian philosophy, not only pointing out every flaw from state management in every sector, but also the consistent application of libertarian values to those sectors. This is not a small book, but in typical Rothbard fashion, it is extremely approachable and does not require prior academic experience to complete. If you need to better understand the libertarian position on Public Schools, Welfare, Defense, Foreign Policy, and Monetary Policy, pick up this book!
Memorable quote: “And, indeed, what is the State anyway but organized banditry? What is taxation but theft on a gigantic, unchecked, scale? What is war but mass murder on a scale impossible by private police forces? What is conscription but mass enslavement? Can anyone envision a private police force getting away with a tiny fraction of what States get away with, and do habitually, year after year, century after century?”
Purchase: Amazon
Free resource: Free PDFs and Audio from Mises
5. The Law by Frédéric Bastiat
Bastiat’s The Law is a usual for lists like these. There is good reason for Bastiat, and this book in particular, to be so commonly recommended. It is short enough to not scare away any new readers, and written in a way to keep you from putting it down. It is perfect as an entry level book into libertarian philosophy, or for an already committed individual who would benefit from refinement.
Memorable quote: “Sometimes the law defends plunder and participates in it. Thus the beneficiaries are spared the shame and danger that their acts would otherwise involve… But how is this legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them and gives it to the other persons to whom it doesn’t belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime. Then abolish that law without delay – No legal plunder; this is the principle of justice, peace, order, stability, harmony and logic.”
Purchase: Amazon
Related Resources: Free Audio and PDF from Mises
Additional resources: The Broken Wrist Fallacy – AC044
4. Fascism vs. Capitalism by Lew Rockwell
It’s hard to choose exactly which Lew Rockwell book to start with. This one is unique in that it is essentially two separate books. The first part presents examples of Fascism and Capitalism throughout history and in America. Part 2 gives a thorough history of Capitalist voices from the medieval period to Ron Paul, and includes biographical information on notable economists from Hazlitt, Rothbard, and Misses, among many others.
Memorable quote: “It isn’t a coincidence that governments everywhere want to educate children. Government education, in turn, is supposed to be evidence of the state’s goodness and its concern for our well-being. The real explanation is less flattering. If the government’s propaganda can take root as children grow up, those kids will be no threat to the state apparatus. They’ll fasten the chains to their own ankles.”
Related Resources: Free PDF and ePub
3. Our Enemy, The State by Albert Jay Knock
It’s my opinion that Nock doesn’t get enough recognition in our political discussions today. He was a prolific essayist during the 1930’s, which put him in direct opposition to the intellectuals of the day, pushing the popular New Deal message. Rediscover this voice in the context of the rising United States socialism that still impacts us today.
Memorable quote: “All the power [the State] has is what society gives it, plus what it confiscates from time to time on one pretext or another; there is no other source from which State power can be drawn. Therefore every assumption of State power, whether by gift or seizure, leaves society with so much less power.”
Purchase: Amazon
Free resources: Audiobook and PDF from Mises
Additional resources: AC030- The Remnant
2. No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority by Lysander Spooner
This book is Spooner’s relentless attack on everything you thought you knew of the legitimacy of the United States Constitution. He is the furious boxer that keeps swinging while his opponent is down, the bell has rung, and everyone is piling into the ring to pull him off. It is without a doubt that this short book will change your perspective.
Memorable quote: “But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain – that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist.”
Purchase: Amazon
Free resource: PDF from Mises
1. Anatomy Of The State by Murray Rothbard
I may have said that these books are in no particular order, but this book definitely deserves the number one position. Again, we have a short book, yet it thoroughly destroys any preconceived notions of the state and its supposed virtues. This book comes with a warning: Do not read it if you do not want to be fully converted to being an anarchist.
Memorable Quote: “The State is that organization in society which attempts to maintain a monopoly of the use of force and violence in a given territorial area; in particular, it is the only organization in society that obtains its revenue not by voluntary contribution or payment for services rendered but by coercion.”
Purchase: Amazon
Free resources: Audiobook and PDF from Mises
Additional resources: How The State Preserves Itself – AC015
Need more books?
6 Books To Quarantine By, Part 1: Christianity & Politics
6 Books To Quarantine By, Part 2: Preachers, Pastors, Ministers
Four On War: The Civil War- AC028
Four On War: Kids Edition- AC013
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