14 of the Best Political Books to Better Understand Politics - Hooked To Books

25 Of The Best Political Books to Better Understand Political Issues

Observer's 100 best political books | Books | The Guardian

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

The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

La Autobiografía de Nelson Mandela

Long Walk to Freedom

Largo Camino a la Libertad

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

The widely recognized phrase, "human beings are born free, yet everywhere they are bound by shackles," insinuates that contemporary nations suppress the innate liberty we are born with and fail to ensure the civic freedom that is the very reason we engage in societal contracts. The only valid source of political authority, it is suggested, originates from a societal agreement consented to by all members to ensure their collective protection.

The aggregate of all citizens is recognized as the "sovereign," and is likened in many respects to an individual. While each person has a unique will directed towards their own welfare, the sovereign embodies the collective will aimed at the communal good. The sovereign only wields authority over issues pertaining to public interest, but in this sphere its authority is sovereign: the death penalty is recommended for those who breach the societal agreement.

The collective will is most transparent in the state's impersonal and generic laws, created at the state's inception by an unbiased, non-citizen legislator. The laws must uphold freedom and equality, beyond this they may be altered according to local conditions. While the sovereign implements legislative power through laws, a government is needed to exercise executive power and conduct daily affairs. Governments can take many forms, roughly divided into democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy, dependent on their size. Monarchy is considered the most powerful form of government, ideal for large populations and hotter climates. Despite different states being suited to different government forms, aristocracies are viewed as the most stable. The government and the sovereign are separate entities and are usually in conflict. This tension will eventually lead to the dissolution of the state, but robust states can endure for centuries.

Citizens exercise their sovereignty by participating in regular, scheduled gatherings. Convincing all citizens to attend these meetings can be challenging, but attendance is crucial for the state's well-being. Electing representatives or trying to avoid public service endangers the state as the collective will is not heard. When voting, citizens should cast their ballot not based on personal interest, but what they believe is the collective will. In a robust state, the voting results should be nearly unanimous. To argue that even large states can gather all their citizens, the Roman republic and its comitia are presented as examples.

A tribunate is proposed to mediate between the government and sovereign, and between the government and the people. Short-term dictatorships might be necessary during emergencies. The censor's office's role is to express public opinion. While everyone should be permitted to practice their personal beliefs privately, it is suggested that the state should also mandate all citizens to practice a public religion that promotes good citizenship.

The Social Contract

El Contrato Social

Winston Smith, a minor functionary for the government, lives in a dystopian society where the ruling Party, led by Big Brother, scrutinizes every aspect of people's lives, even their thoughts, through omnipresent surveillance technology. The Party orchestrates a linguistic purge, introducing Newspeak, a language designed to obliterate any words or ideas that could provoke opposition to its rule. Winston, growing increasingly dissatisfied with the Party's oppressive control, procures a forbidden diary to record his subversive thoughts. He also becomes intrigued by O’Brien, a high-ranking Party official whom he suspects to be part of the legendary Brotherhood, an underground organization bent on toppling the Party.

Working at the Ministry of Truth, Winston manipulates past records to align with the Party's current narrative. His fear of detection intensifies when he notices a female colleague, Julia, observing him closely. Despite the Party's historical revisionism, Winston can vaguely remember a past that contradicts the official narrative. Meanwhile, he explores impoverished areas, where the proletariat, or 'proles', live relatively unmonitored lives. His relationship with Julia evolves from paranoia to romance after receiving a love note from her. They clandestinely meet in a rented room in the prole district, where Winston’s contempt for the Party intensifies, while he also awaits a potential meeting with O'Brien.

Their anticipated meeting with O’Brien takes place in his lavish apartment, where he lives a life of privilege as part of the Inner Party. O’Brien admits his own hatred for the Party and confirms his participation in the Brotherhood, subsequently initiating Winston and Julia. O'Brien provides Winston with a forbidden book containing the Brotherhood's ideology. However, their rebellion comes to a sudden halt as they are arrested by the Thought Police; O'Brien is revealed to be a loyal Party member and their landlord, Mr. Charrington, a Thought Police agent. Imprisoned and tortured in the ironically named Ministry of Love, Winston endures psychological manipulation aimed to eradicate his rebellious thoughts. Ultimately, his resistance crumbles in Room 101, where he is tormented with his greatest fear, rats, and betrays Julia. Broken, Winston is released; he encounters Julia but feels nothing. In the end, Winston has fully succumbed to the Party's indoctrination, even proclaiming love for Big Brother.

1984

An award-winning pig, Old Major, gathers his fellow farm animals for an assembly where he shares his dream of a world where all animals coexist without human oppression. After his death, three younger pigs - Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer - articulate his ideas into a philosophy named Animalism. Through a successful revolt, they oust the human farmer, Mr. Jones, from the property, now renamed as the Animal Farm. With new found passion for the cause, Boxer, the horse, dedicates his strength for the farm's prosperity, vowing to work harder than before.

The Animal Farm initially thrives under the new leadership. Snowball focuses on teaching the animals to read while Napoleon takes the young pups under his wing to instill in them the principles of Animalism. Despite defeating Mr. Jones again in what would later be referred to as the Battle of the Cowshed, internal disagreements between Napoleon and Snowball escalate. Napoleon ruthlessly drives Snowball away from the farm with his pack of dogs, thus assuming undisputed authority and dismantling the democratic structure of the farm. He now declares that only pigs will make decisions for the collective good.

Napoleon suddenly reverses his stance on the windmill project previously proposed by Snowball, and the animals, particularly Boxer, devote themselves to its completion. When the windmill collapses, Napoleon blames it upon Snowball's sabotage. Any animal questioning Napoleon's leadership meets a swift end by the dogs. Napoleon, with his authority unchallenged and his deeds justified by his propagandist, starts displaying human-like behaviors - sleeping in a bed, drinking alcohol, and trading with other farmers. Betraying his loyal workforce, Napoleon sells the injured and aging Boxer for whiskey money. Over the years, the pigs grow more human-like, and the original principles of Animalism are manipulated to justify their actions. By the end, the animals peering through the farmhouse window can no longer differentiate between the pigs and the humans.

Animal Farm

Rebelión en la Granja

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The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

El Genio Político de Abraham Lincoln

Team of Rivals

Equipo de Rivales

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Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Incarceración masiva en la Era de la ceguera al color

Based on the perspective of a seasoned attorney with the Northern California American Civil Liberties Union, there exists a hidden caste system that systematically oppresses people of color, specifically Black men, within the United States. This new social order is often overlooked due to its operation under the guise of the justice system. Through government-backed law enforcement and racial profiling, Black men are disproportionately arrested, labeled as "criminals" or "felons", therefore justifying their mistreatment without overtly expressing racial bias.

These labeled individuals, despite being released into society after serving their prison terms, struggle with the life-long stigma of being a felon. The lack of social support for these individuals returning to their communities results in their conversion into an enormous underclass. They encounter difficulties in securing employment or housing, further barred from applying for public benefits or further education, leading to their struggle to thrive in mainstream society. This condition is referred to as a modernized version of the historical racial bias, 'Jim Crow', subtly revised to fit a society that outwardly rejects open acts of racism.

For the United States to achieve a genuinely fair society, it must first recognize the existence of this hidden racial caste and take measures to eradicate it. This would necessitate a collective recognition of each other's humanity and an unreserved commitment to care for one another irrespective of racial or socio-economic differences. This entails increased federal funding towards primary education, housing, and healthcare, affirming that these are basic rights everyone should possess. Equipped with these resources, all citizens can enjoy an equal right to a decent standard of living, reflecting Thomas Jefferson’s argument in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal.”

The New Jim Crow

El Nuevo Jim Crow

Why We're Polarized

Por Qué Estamos Polarizados

Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court

Dentro del Mundo Secreto de la Corte Suprema

The Nine

Los Nueve

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In the 1930s, in the heart of the Deep South, the narrative follows a man named Willie Stark, who defies his impoverished background to rise to the paramount political position in his state, serving as governor. He cements his rule through a combination of intimidation and blackmail, simultaneously pushing through a series of progressive reforms designed to alleviate the financial strain on the state's impoverished farming community. Despite his successes, he faces an array of adversaries, including a resentful former governor, Sam MacMurfee, and navigates the rough seas of political alliances and mercenaries, including bodyguard Sugar-Boy O'Sheean and the sycophantic Tiny Duffy.

Another key character is Jack Burden, a prodigal son of an influential family who renounces his privileged upbringing to serve as Willie Stark's right-hand. Utilizing his investigative skills as a historical researcher, Jack uncovers the dark secrets of Willie's opponents, which are then weaponized for blackmail. Jack displays a cynical outlook on life and lacks any personal ambition, having abandoned his doctoral dissertation in American History and failed to marry his childhood sweetheart, Anne Stanton, herself the daughter of a previous state governor.

The plot thickens when Willie tasks Jack with uncovering dirt on Judge Irwin, a figure from Jack's past who he holds in high regard. In the process, Jack grapples with his personal beliefs about consequence, responsibility, and motivation. His findings reveal a corruption scandal involving bribery, cover-ups, and suicides. The fallout from this investigation induces profound changes in the lives of several characters, including Anne Stanton's affair with Willie and Adam Stanton's appointment as director of a new hospital. The climax occurs when Adam, upon discovering the affair, murders Willie in a fit of rage, leading Jack to exit the political scene altogether. Willie's demise forces Jack to reevaluate his nihilistic notions about individual responsibility in the unpredictable currents of history and time. He marries Anne Stanton and embarks on a literary career, penning a book about Cass Mastern, a man who was once the subject of his abandoned dissertation.

All the King's Men

Todos los Hombres del Rey

A Nonpartisan Guide to the Issues That Matter

Una Guía No Partidista para los Temas que Importan

What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't

Lo Que Deberías Saber Sobre Política... Pero No Sabes

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Reivindicación de los derechos de la mujer

How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change

Cómo Avanzar Más Allá del Pasatiempo Político, Tomar Acción y Hacer un Cambio Real

Politics Is for Power

La Política es para el Poder

How to Spot a Fascist

Cómo Detectar un Fascista

How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights

Cómo las Empresas Americanas Ganaron sus Derechos Civiles

We the Corporations

Nosotros, las Corporaciones

The Path to Power; Means of Ascent; Master of the Senate; The Passage of Power

El Camino al Poder; Medios de Ascenso; Maestro del Senado; La Transición del Poder

The Years of Lyndon Johnson

Los Años de Lyndon Johnson

Deterring Democracy

Disuadiendo la Democracia

18 Best Political Books of All Time

The Republic

Long Walk to Freedom

The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

The Communist Manifesto

The Social Contract

1984

Animal Farm

Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

The New Jim Crow

Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Why We're Polarized

The Nine

Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court

All the King's Men

What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't

A Nonpartisan Guide to the Issues That Matter

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Politics Is for Power

How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change

How to Spot a Fascist

We the Corporations

How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights

The Years of Lyndon Johnson

The Path to Power; Means of Ascent; Master of the Senate; The Passage of Power

Deterring Democracy

Sources

What To Read Next

18 Best Political Books of All Time

The Republic

Long Walk to Freedom

The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

The Communist Manifesto

The Social Contract

1984

Animal Farm

Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

The New Jim Crow

Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Why We're Polarized

The Nine

Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court

All the King's Men

What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't

A Nonpartisan Guide to the Issues That Matter

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Politics Is for Power

How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change

How to Spot a Fascist

We the Corporations

How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights

The Years of Lyndon Johnson

The Path to Power; Means of Ascent; Master of the Senate; The Passage of Power

Deterring Democracy

Sources

What To Read Next

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