Political Philosophy Reading List

A comprehensive guide from classical to contemporary works

Reading Pathways

Not sure where to start? Our curated reading pathways guide you through the vast landscape of political philosophy based on your interests. Each pathway provides a structured journey through key works that address specific themes and questions.

Justice and Rights

Explore fundamental questions about justice, fairness, and individual rights through these essential works.

  1. On Liberty by John Stuart Mill - Begin with this classic defense of individual liberty against state and social tyranny.
  2. Justice as Fairness: A Restatement by John Rawls - Continue with Rawls' accessible presentation of his theory of justice.
  3. Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick - Examine a libertarian critique of Rawls and defense of minimal state.
  4. Justice, Gender, and the Family by Susan Moller Okin - See how justice theories address (or fail to address) gender inequality.
  5. World Poverty and Human Rights by Thomas Pogge - Conclude with how justice theories apply to global inequality.

Democracy and Citizenship

Examine the nature of democracy, citizenship, and political participation through these key works.

  1. Politics by Aristotle - Start with this classical analysis of citizenship and constitutions.
  2. The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Continue with Rousseau's theory of popular sovereignty.
  3. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville - Examine this perceptive analysis of American democracy.
  4. Between Facts and Norms by Jürgen Habermas - Explore this discourse theory of democracy and law.
  5. Republicanism by Philip Pettit - Conclude with this revival of republican theory of freedom as non-domination.

Power and Critique

Examine how power operates in society and various critiques of political systems and ideologies.

  1. The Prince by Machiavelli - Begin with this pragmatic analysis of political power.
  2. The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels - Continue with this critique of capitalism and class power.
  3. Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault - Explore how power operates through institutions and disciplines.
  4. The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt - Examine the nature of totalitarian power.
  5. Scales of Justice by Nancy Fraser - Conclude with this analysis of recognition, redistribution, and representation.

Tradition and Community

Explore the importance of tradition, community, and shared values in political life.

  1. Reflections on the Revolution in France by Edmund Burke - Start with this defense of tradition against revolutionary change.
  2. After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre - Continue with this critique of modern moral philosophy.
  3. Sources of the Self by Charles Taylor - Explore the development of modern identity and its moral sources.
  4. The Meaning of Conservatism by Roger Scruton - Examine this philosophical defense of conservatism.
  5. Spheres of Justice by Michael Walzer - Conclude with this communitarian theory of justice.

Global Justice and International Relations

Examine questions of justice, rights, and governance beyond national borders.

  1. Perpetual Peace by Immanuel Kant - Begin with this vision of international peace.
  2. The Law of Peoples by John Rawls - Continue with this extension of justice theory to international relations.
  3. World Poverty and Human Rights by Thomas Pogge - Explore this analysis of global poverty as a human rights violation.
  4. Cosmopolitanism by Kwame Anthony Appiah - Examine this defense of cosmopolitan ethics.
  5. The Rights of Others by Seyla Benhabib - Conclude with this analysis of migration and citizenship.