Political Theory

About this Collection

Political theory encompasses debates over such issues as self-government, the rule of law, and constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and of the press. From foundational writings to twentieth century perspectives, OLL’s collection represents thinkers and texts that have helped shape the ideas of liberty.

John Locke (1632-1704) Edmund Burke (1729-1797) John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

The OLL has the complete works of many major political theorists (many of which are older editions and thus are not as “complete” as some modern editions), such as Plato, Tacitus, James Harrington, John Locke, Machiavelli, Montesquieu, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and Alexander Hamilton. It has the selected works of many others, such as Aristotle, Cicero, Thomas Hobbes, John Milton, Immanuel Kant, Edmund Burke, Richard Cobden, John Stuart Mill, and Herbert Spencer.

See also the extracts, chapters, and introductions in the Political Thought section of the Ideas page.

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