Political Theory

Molesworth’s An Account of Denmark was one of the canonical works of 18th century Whiggism. It is a detailed description of how tyranny and corruption worked, the institutions that made this possible, and the ideas that supported it.… more

In one of these 3 letters to Archbishop Creighton Lord Acton makes his famous statement about “power corrupts and absolute power absolutely”. He also makes other remarks about the proper role for moral judgments in history.

Spooner published this pamphlet prior to the election in November 1860 urging voters not to vote for the Republican Party because it had no plan for the abolition of slavery.

Condorcet’s essay is an early defence of the right of women to particpate in politcs. It was written during the first years of the French Revolution.

In Democracy in America (1835) the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville interpreted American society through the lens of democratic political theory. A half-century later the Scotsman James Bryce examined “the institutions and the people… more

James Bryce examined “the institutions and the people of America as they are.” in The American Commonwealth, first published in London in three volumes in 1888. This edition’s expanded appendix includes Bryce’s 1887 essay, “The… more

James Bryce examined “the institutions and the people of America as they are.” in The American Commonwealth, first published in London in three volumes in 1888. This edition’s expanded appendix includes Bryce’s 1887 essay, “The… more

These volumes provide a selection of seventy-six essays, pamphlets, speeches, and letters to newspapers written between 1760 and 1805 by American political and religious leaders. Many are obscure pieces, but all illuminate the… more

These volumes provide a selection of seventy-six essays, pamphlets, speeches, and letters to newspapers written between 1760 and 1805 by American political and religious leaders. Many are obscure pieces, but all illuminate the… more

These volumes provide a selection of seventy-six essays, pamphlets, speeches, and letters to newspapers written between 1760 and 1805 by American political and religious leaders. Many are obscure pieces , but all illuminate the… more

The American Republic is an excellent textbook for classroom use which provides, in a single volume, critical, original documents revealing the character of American discourse on the nature and importance of local government, the… more

A 2 volume work. In volume 1 Spencer talks about the period from his early childhood up to 1856 soon after he left work on The Economist and was working on his second book. In volume 2 he covers the period from 1856 to 1889 soon… more

Volume 1 of a 2 volume work. In volume 1 Spencer talks about the period from his early childhood up to 1856 soon after he left work on The Economist and was working on his second book.

Volume 2 of a 2 volume work. In volume 2 Spencer covers the period from 1856 to 1889 soon after he had completed his trip to the United States.

In The Anti-capitalistic Mentality, Ludwig von Mises explains the causes of the irrational fear and hatred many intellectuals and others feel for capitalism. Written during the heyday of twentieth-century socialism, this work… more

The first of two collections of anti-slavery tracts published by the American Anti-Slavery Society between 1855-56. It consists of 20 pamphlets written by Higginson, Foster, Burleigh, Beecher Stowe, and others. A second collection of… more

The second of two collections of anti-slavery tracts published by the American Anti-Slavery Society between 1860-62. It consists of 25 pamphlets written by William Lloyd Garrison, Daniel O'Connell, Maria Child, Wendell Phillips, and… more

Whilst in prison for her liberal views Roland wrote a series of letters and reflections which were published in 2 volumes.

Whilst in prison for her liberal views Roland wrote a series of letters and reflections which were published in 2 volumes.

Whilst in prison for her liberal views Roland wrote a series of letters and reflections which were published in 2 volumes.

Following the success of the First Reform Act of 1832 John Wade published an appendix to the 1832 edition of his best selling work detailing corruption which still remained in the English government.

This is Milton’s famous defense of freedom of speech and the press, in an edition based upon Sir Richard Jebb’s lectures at Cambridge in 1872, with extensive notes and commentaries. Mlton’s work was a protest against Parliament’s… more

The Leveller pamphleteer Richard Overton could not stop himself from denouncing the tyrants who put him in jail for speaking his mind. His “arrow” was “shot from the prison of Newgate into the prerogative bowels of the arbitrary… more

A translation by Neville, a leading English republican thinker of the 17th century, of one of the few major works of Machiavelli published in his lifetime. Machiavelli drew on his own experiences of the nearly constant warfare in… more

James Mill wrote a number of influential articles for the Encyclopedia Britannica in which he developed the Philosophic Radical view on law, government, education, colonies, and other topcis.

An extraordinary document which details the corruption and financial abuses of the British government as well as the sinecures and privileges of the army, church, and other groups. It was drawn up by John Wade as part of the radical… more

The Best of Bastiat (BOB) is a collection of some of the best material in Liberty Fund’s 6 volume edition of The Collected Works of Frédéric Bastiat (2011-). They are chapter length extracts and have been edited as pamphlets for… more

The Best of Bastiat (BOB) is a collection of some of the best material in Liberty Fund’s 6 volume edition of The Collected Works of Frédéric Bastiat (2011-). They are chapter length extracts and have been edited as pamphlets for… more

The Best of Bastiat (BOB) is a collection of some of the best material in Liberty Fund’s 6 volume edition of The Collected Works of Frédéric Bastiat (2011-). They are chapter length extracts and have been formatted as pamphlets for… more

The Best of Bastiat (BOB) is a collection of some of the best material in Liberty Fund’s 6 volume edition of The Collected Works of Frédéric Bastiat (2011-). They are chapter length extracts and have been edited as pamphlets for… more

The Best of Bastiat (BOB) is a collection of some of the best material in Liberty Fund’s 6 volume edition of The Collected Works of Frédéric Bastiat (2011-). They are chapter length extracts and have been edited as pamphlets for… more

The Best of Bastiat (BOB) is a collection of some of the best material in Liberty Fund’s 6 volume edition of The Collected Works of Frédéric Bastiat (2011-). They are chapter length extracts and have been edited as pamphlets for… more

The Best of Bastiat (BOB) is a collection of some of the best material in Liberty Fund’s edition of The Collected Works of Frédéric Bastiat (2011-). These extracts should be useful in the classroom, or discussion groups. This… more

Voltaire’s “philosophic tale” is a clever satire of France in the mid-18th century. He makes fun of religious intolerance, the destructiveness of war, and the foibles of mankind. He concludes with a plea that we should all “cultivate… more

Molyneux’s work was eagerly read by the American colonists who used its anti-imperial and anti-mecantilist arguments in their own struggle against Britain.

The first printed edition of Addison’s play which also contains 4 short pamphlets on Cato the historical figure and analyses of Addison’s play by anonymous authors.

First produced in 1713, Cato, A Tragedy inspired generations toward a pursuit of liberty. Liberty Fund’s new edition of Cato: A Tragedy, and Selected Essays brings together Addison’s dramatic masterpiece along with a selection of his… more

Thomas Gordon was the joint author with John Trenchard of these 4 volumes. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored ancient name of Cato,… more

Volume 1 of a four volumes in 2 set. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored ancient name of Cato, wrote newspaper articles condemning… more

Volume 2 of a four volumes in 2 set. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored ancient name of Cato, wrote newspaper articles condemning… more

Volume 3 of a four volumes in 2 set. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored ancient name of Cato, wrote newspaper articles condemning… more

Volume 4 of a four volumes in 2 set. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored ancient name of Cato, wrote newspaper articles condemning… more

A facsimile of the 1737 edition. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored ancient name of Cato, wrote newspaper articles condemning… more

A facsimile of the 1737 edition. Volume 1 (November 1720 to June 1721) of a four volume set. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored… more

A facsimile of the 1737 edition. Volume 2 (June 1721 to March 1722) of a four volume set. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored… more

A facsimile of the 1737 edition. Volume 3 (March 1722 to December 1722) of a four volume set. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored… more

A facsimile of the 1737 edition. Volume 4 (December 1722 to December 1723) of a four volume set. Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored… more

A large collection of Sumner’s shorter writings, newspaper and magazine articles, speeches, etc. on socialism, economic growth, the social question, legislation, democracy, and sociology.

A 2 volume collection of Spinoza’s most important works. Vol. 1 contains the Theologico-Political Treatise and the posthumous Political Treatise. Vol. 2 contains On Improvement of Understanding, Ethicas, and Letters.

This volume contains 2 of Spinoza’s most important political works, the Theologico-Political Treatise and the posthumous Political Treatise.

In this posthumously published work, the French classical liberal Germain Necker (de Staël), provides the most coherent account of her thoughts on constitutional government, property rights, public opinion, and representative… more

Having lost his valuable estate in Pennsylvania during the American Revolution, the Loyalist Galloway spent the rest of his years in exile in Britain lobbying the government for compensation and writing books like this one to… more

The Clarke Papers chronicle the debates which took place in the Army during the English Civil War over the relationship between Parliament and the Army.

Vol. 1 of the Clarke Papers which chronicle the debates which took place in the Army during the English Civil War over the relationship between Parliament and the Army.

Vol. 2 of the Clarke Papers which chronicle the debates which took place in the Army during the English Civil War over the relationship between Parliament and the Army.

Vol. 3 of the Clarke Papers which chronicle the debates which took place in the Army during the English Civil War over the relationship between Parliament and the Army.

Vol. 4 of the Clarke Papers which chronicle the debates which took place in the Army during the English Civil War over the relationship between Parliament and the Army.

The Collected Works of John Stuart Mill consists of 33 volumes which contain the writings of one of the leading classical liberals of the 19th century. Mill wrote works of political economy, philosophy, history, political theory, and… more

Vol. 1 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s autobiography and some literary essays mostly from the 1830s.

Vol. 6 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains a number of Mill’s essays on contemporary political issues, including his essay Reorganization of the Reform Party.

Vol. 10 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains a number of Mill’s essays on religion and moral philosophy as well as his works on Utilitarianism and Auguste Comte.

Vol. 12 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s letters written between 1812-1837.

Vol. 13 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s letters written between 1838-1848 with an Introdcution by F.A. Hayek.

Vol. 14 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s letters written between 1849-1855.

Vol. 15 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s letters written between 1856-1864.

Vol. 16 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s letters written between 1865-1868.

Vol. 17 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s letters written between 1869-1873.

Vol. 18 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains a number of Mill’s essays on politics, including his reviews of Tocqueville’s Democracy in America and his book On Liberty.

Vol. 19 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains a number of Mill’s essays on politics and his book Considerations on Representative Government.

Vol. 21 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains a number of Mill’s essays on the law, women and children, the American Civil War, and his book on The Subjection of Women. It also contains in the Appendix Harriet Taylor’s works On… more

Vol. 22 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s newspaper articles from 1822-1831, including many on the French Revolution of 1830 and the series called The Spirit of the Age.

Vol. 23 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s newspaper articles from 1831-1834, including many on the French Revolution of 1830 and a number on the Poor Law Report.

Vol. 24 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s newspaper articles from 1835-1847, including many on the Bank Charter and the Condition of Ireland.

Vol. 25 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s newspaper articles from 1847-1873, including a number of electoral reform and the revolution in Hungary.

Vol. 26 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s juvenile writings from the 1820s such as journals, notebooks, and debating speeches.

Vol. 27 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s diaries of his walking tours 1827-32, a diary from 1854 and other material from the early 1820s.

Vol. 28 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s electoral and parliamentary speeches from 1865-1868, including those on the right of women to vote, the Reform Bill, the riots in Jamaica, India, and smoking in railway… more

Vol. 29 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s electoral and parliamentary speeches from 1869-1873, including women’s suffrage education, and land reform. It also includes an essay by Helen Taylor on War and Peace.

Vol. 30 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains Mill’s longer writings on India. Some parliamentary speeches and newspaper articles can be found in other volumes.

Vol. 32 of the 33 vol. Collected Works contains letters by Mill which were left out of earlier volumes and a full list of correspondents, and of persons and works cited in the letters.

This is a collation of the 19 lengthy scholarly Introductions which preceded key volumes in the 33 volume Collected Works of John Stuart Mill edited by John M. Robson for the University of Toronto Press between 1963 and 1991. The… more

Vol. 7 of The Collected Works. The Limits of Liberty made James Buchanan’s name more widely known than ever before among political philosophers and theorists and established Buchanan, along with John Rawls and Robert Nozick, as one… more

Vol. 9 of The Collected Works. Originally published in 1980, The Power to Tax was a much-needed answer to the tax revolts sweeping across the United States. The public-choice approach to taxation which Buchanan had earlier elaborated… more

Vol. 10 of The Collected Works. In his foreword, Robert D. Tollison identifies the main objective of Geoffrey Brennan and James M. Buchanan’s The Reason of Rules: ” . . a book-length attempt to focus the energies of economists and… more

This two-volume set brings together a collection of writings and speeches of James Wilson, one of only six signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and one of the most influential members of the federal… more

This two-volume set brings together a collection of writings and speeches of James Wilson, one of only six signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and one of the most influential members of the federal… more

This two-volume set brings together a collection of writings and speeches of James Wilson, one of only six signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and one of the most influential members of the federal… more

This a draft of the second edition of the collected works of the 19th century American legal theorist and abolitionist Lysander Spooner in chronological order of the year of publication. It is in a single large file in HTML… more

A two part collection of essays by Trenchard and Gordon which includes essays on standing armies, religion, British politics, and economics.

Volume 1 of a two part collection of essays by Trenchard and Gordon which includes essays on standing armies, various sermons, on debt, taxation, and religion.

Volume 2 of a two part collection of essays by Trenchard and Gordon which includes essays on British politics, religion, the creed of an Independent Whig, and prefaces to Cato’s Letters.

A collection of eighty documents which demonstrate how local government in colonial America was the seedbed of American constitutionalism. Most of these documents, commencing with the Agreement of the Settlers at Exeter in New… more

One of the articles James Mill wrote for the Encyclopedia Britannica.

A French version of Destutt de Tracy’s extended commentary on Montesquieu which so impressed Jefferson that he translated it himself.

One of two books by the French liberal Destutt de Tracy which were translated and published by Thomas Jefferson.

The Commentary is Constant’s most extensive treatment of economic matters. It is a response to a multi-volume work by the Italian jurist Gaetano Filangiero, The Science of Legislation (1780-88). Constant defends limited government… more

A 4 volume collection of the Works of Montesquieu.

This is volume 1 from the Complete Works. The Spirit of Laws is Montesquieu’s best known work in which he reflects on the influence of climate on society, the separation of political powers, and the need for checks on a powerful… more

This is volume 2 from the Complete Works. The Spirit of Laws is Montesquieu’s best known work in which he reflects on the influence of climate on society, the separation of political powers, and the need for checks on a powerful… more

This is volume 3 from the Complete Works. It contains his piece on the Grandeur and Declension of the Roman Empire, a short Dialogue between Sylla and Eucrates, and the Persian Letters.

This is volume 4 from the Complete Works. It contains many of his letters, An Essay on Taste, The Temple of Gnidus, and other shorter pieces.

Otis wrote a couple of pamphlets in the early phase of the American Revolution which galvanized and radicalized the colonists’ opposition to the British Empire. In Considerations of Behalf of the Colonists Otis continues his… more

Probably written by a pupil of Aristotle, it is the first history of Athens as a model democracy, how it came into existence, and how it operated in practice.

The Constitution of England is one of the most distinguished eighteenth-century treatises on English political liberty. Like Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws (1748) and Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765–1769), De… more

A collection of constitutional documents from the English Revolution of the mid-17th century. They include parliamentary speeches, letters and declarations by the monarch, legal proceedings, and other documents. They are preceded by… more

Arguably no political principle has been more central than the separation of powers to the evolution of constitutional governance in Western democracies. M. J. C. Vile traces the history of the doctrine from its rise during the… more

Taylor defends a strict “states rights” interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and advocates limited republican government.

A two volume collection of journal entries and letters between Tocqueville and Nassau Senior between 1834 and 1859. Vol. 1 contains material from 1834 to 1851. Vol. 2 contains material from 1851 to 1859.

Volume 1 of a two volume collection of journal entries and letters between Tocqueville and Nassau Senior between 1834 and 1859. Vol. 1 contains material from 1834 to 1851.

Volume 2 of a two volume collection of journal entries and letters between Tocqueville and Nassau Senior between 1834 and 1859. Vol. 2 contains material from 1851 and 1859.

A 4 volume collection of the works of John Jay. Vol.1 covers the period 1763-1781; vol. 2 1781-1782; vol. 3 1782-1793; vol. 4 1794-1826.

John Jay’s correspondence and public papers from the period 1763-1781.

John Jay’s correspondence and public papers from the period 1781-1783.

John Jay’s correspondence and public papers from the period 1782-93.

John Jay’s correspondence and public papers from the period 1794-1826.

The Crisis was a London weekly published between January 1775 and October 1776. It was the longest-running weekly pamphlet series printed in the British Atlantic world during those years, and it used unusually bold, pithy language.… more

Collected in these three volumes are essays and book reviews Macaulay wrote between 1825 and 1841 for the Edinburgh Review.

Essays which appeared in the Edinburgh Review between 1825-1831. They are on such topics as Milton, Machiavelli, Southey, Johnson, and other topics.

Essays by Macaulay in the Edinburgh Review published between 1832 and 1839 on Horace Walpole, the War of Spanish Succession, William Pitt, Sir James Mackintosh, Lord Bacon, and Gladstone.

Essays and reviews published by Macaulay in the Edinburgh Review between 1838 and 1841 on historical figures such as Lord Clive, von Ranke, and Warren Hastings.

A 6 vol. collection of the works of the 19th century French political economist Frédéric Bastiat. More than half of the material has never been translated into English before. The texts are accompanied by extensive glossaries, maps,… more

Vol. 1 of a 6 vol. collection of the works of the 19th century French political economist Frédéric Bastiat. This volume contains 209 letters and a selection of his articles on politics. A detailed glossary contains information about… more

Volume 2 of a collection of the works of the 19th century French political economist Frédéric Bastiat. This volume contains 19 essays on political theory, including “The State,” “The Law,” and “Property and Plunder.” A detailed… more

Volume 3 of a 6 volume collection of the works of the 19th century French political economist Frédéric Bastiat. This volume contains the complete collection of Economic Sophisms, a third of which have never been translated before; as… more

A massive 3 volume, 3,000 page compendium of nearly every aspect of 19th century American economics and political institutions. Main contributors, with 10 or more articles each, are: Alexander Johnston (293), Maurice Block (85),… more

Vol. 1 of a massive 3 volume, 3,000 page compendium of nearly every aspect of 19th century American economics and political institutions. An additional bonus are the numerous translation of articles written for the French-language … more

Vol. II of a massive 3 volume, 3,000 page compendium of nearly every aspect of 19th century American economics and political institutions. An additional bonus are the numerous translation of articles written for the French-language … more

Vol. III of a massive 3 volume, 3,000 page compendium of nearly every aspect of 19th century American economics and political institutions. An additional bonus are the numerous translation of articles written for the French-language… more

The great Italian poet turns his hand to political thought and defends the reign of a single monarch ruling over a universal empire. He believed that peace was only achievable when a single monarch replaced divisive and squabbling… more

An influential early 19th century edition of key documents about the ratification of the US Constitution by the states.

Vol. 1 of an influential early 19th century edition of key documents about the ratification of the US Constitution by the states.

Vol. 2 of an influential early 19th century edition of key documents about the ratification of the US Constitution by the states.

Vol. 3 of an influential early 19th century edition of key documents about the ratification of the US Constitution by the states.

Vol. 4 of an influential early 19th century edition of key documents about the ratification of the US Constitution by the states.

This is Vol. 5 of an influential early 19th century edition of key documents about the ratification of the US Constitution by the states. It contains debates on the adoption of the Federal Constitution in the convention held at… more

An examination of the political ideas behind the Declaration of Independence. Becker examines the theory of natural rights, the view the colonists had of their place in the British Empire, and the literary qualities of the… more

Since, in Spooner’s view, slavery was both unjust and unconstitutional, men and women held in slavery had the right to flee, and other people had the right and the duty to help the runaway slaves escape to freedom. This meant… more

A two volume work in which Lecky explores how the growing tendency towards untrammeled democracy might undermine individual liberty in the coming century.

Vol. 1 of a two volume work in which Lecky explores how the growing tendency towards untrammeled democracy might undermine individual liberty in the coming century.

Vol. 2 of a two volume work in which Lecky explores how the growing tendency towards untrammeled democracy might undermine individual liberty in the coming century.

A two volume work in which Lecky explores how the growing tendency towards untrammeled democracy might undermine individual liberty in the coming century.

Vol. 1 of a two volume work in which Lecky explores how the growing tendency towards untrammeled democracy might undermine individual liberty in the coming century.

Vol. 2 of a two volume work in which Lecky explores how the growing tendency towards untrammeled democracy might undermine individual liberty in the coming century.

A two volume English only version of Liberty Fund’s 4 volume bi-lingual critical edition. In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville and his friend Gustave de Beaumont visited the United States. From Tocqueville’s copious notes of what he had… more

Volume 1 of a two volume English only version of Liberty Fund’s 4 volume bi-lingual critical edition. In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville and his friend Gustave de Beaumont visited the United States. From Tocqueville’s copious notes of… more

Volume 2 of a two volume English only version of Liberty Fund’s 4 volume bi-lingual critical edition. In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville and his friend Gustave de Beaumont visited the United States. From Tocqueville’s copious notes of… more

A new 4 volume edition of Tocqueville’s classic text De la Démocratie en Amérique. The Liberty Fund bilingual edition includes Eduardo Nolla’s historical-critical edition of the French text and notes on the lefthand pages and James… more

A new 4 volume edition of Tocqueville’s classic text De la Démocratie en Amérique. The original was published in two large volumes, the first in 1835, the second in 1840. The first volume focused primarily on political society; the… more

A new 4 volume edition of Tocqueville’s classic text De la Démocratie en Amérique. The original was published in two large volumes, the first in 1835, the second in 1840. The first volume focused primarily on political society; the… more

A new 4 volume edition of Tocqueville’s classic text De la Démocratie en Amérique. The original was published in two large volumes, the first in 1835, the second in 1840. The first volume focused primarily on political society; the… more

A new 4 volume edition of Tocqueville’s classic text De la Démocratie en Amérique. The original was published in two large volumes, the first in 1835, the second in 1840. The first volume focused primarily on political society; the… more

This volume is a collection of Leggett’s editorials and newspaper articles written during the 1830s in Jacksonian America. He is a consistent advocate of laissez-faire economic policy and limited government.

A revised and corrected 12th edition in French of Tocqueville’s famous analysis of the nature and consequences of democracy in the American Republic. In 4 vols.

Vol. 1 of 4 vols. A revised and corrected 12th edition in French of Tocqueville’s famous analysis of the nature and consequences of democracy in the American Republic.

Vol. 2 of 4 vols. A revised and corrected 12th edition in French of Tocqueville’s famous analysis of the nature and consequences of democracy in the American Republic.

Vol. 3 of 4 vols. A revised and corrected 12th edition in French of Tocqueville’s famous analysis of the nature and consequences of democracy in the American Republic.

Vol. 4 of 4 vols. A revised and corrected 12th edition in French of Tocqueville’s famous analysis of the nature and consequences of democracy in the American Republic.

Volume 2 (with 6 dialogues) of a 5 volume edition of Plato by the great English Victorian Greek scholar, Benjamin Jowett. The scholarly apparatus is immense and detailed. The online version preserves the marginal comments of the… more

Volume 3 (with “The Republic” and 2 other dialogues) of a 5 volume edition of Plato by the great English Victorian Greek scholar, Benjamin Jowett. The scholarly apparatus is immense and detailed. The online version preserves the… more

Volume 5 (with the Laws, Index to the Writings of Plato) of a 5 volume edition of Plato by the great English Victorian Greek scholar, Benjamin Jowett. The scholarly apparatus is immense and detailed. The online version preserves the… more

A two volume diary which Morris kept while he was Minister to France for the new American Republic from 1792-94. It provides much detail about the social life and political turmoil of Paris during a critical phase of the French… more

Volume 1 of a two volume diary which Morris kept while he was Minister to France for the new American Republic from 1792-94. It provides much detail about the social life and political turmoil of Paris during a critical phase of the… more

Volume 2 of a two volume diary which Morris kept while he was Minister to France for the new American Republic from 1792-94. It provides much detail about the social life and political turmoil of Paris during a critical phase of the… more

“Cato” (of Cato’s Letter’s) continues his attack on the waste and militarism of the British Empire which this critique of the idea of permanent “standing” armies.

Boetie asks one of the most basic questions of political theory: why is it that a minority of rulers can remain in power over a majority of subjects who pay all the taxes. His answer is that most of the subjects willingly submit to… more

Price gave this sermon to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Glorious Revolution of 1688. As a vigorous supporter of this revolution as well as the American and French Revolutions he incurred the wrath of Edmund Burke who wrote… more

Written in response to Sir Robert Filmer’s Patriarcha (1680), the Discourses Concerning Government is a classic defense of republicanism and popular government. Sidney rejected Filmer’s theories of royal absolutism and divine right… more

A facsimile version of the 1698 edition. Written in response to Sir Robert Filmer’s Patriarcha (1680), the Discourses Concerning Government is a classic defense of republicanism and popular government. Sidney rejected Filmer’s… more

A third volume consisting of Maine’s lectures at the University of Oxford. The first was Village Communities in the East and West”; the second was The Early History of Institutions. This volume is drawn from a number of his courses… more

This is the first of four volumes of essays by Sumner published by Yale University Press after his death in 1910. It includes a series of 15 essays about liberty which he wrote between 1887 and 1889, along with several important… more

A two volume study of the intellectual origins of economic liberalism. Volume 1 deals with its beginnings in Stoicism, mercantilism, and the American Revolution. Volume 2 deals with the Classical School of the 19th century.

A two volume study of the intellectual origins of economic liberalism. Volume 1 deals with its beginnings in Stoicism, mercantilism, and the American Revolution. Volume 2 deals with the Classical School of the 19th century.

A two volume study of the intellectual origins of economic liberalism. Volume 1 deals with its beginnings in Stoicism, mercantilism, and the American Revolution. Volume 2 deals with the Classical School of the 19th century.

One of the articles James Mill wrote for the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Rousseau’s classic work on the philosophy and practice of education. Emile’s tutor attempts to show how a young person can be brought up to fulfill their innate natural goodness in a corrupt society.

Two sets of letters that have been described as “the wellsprings of nearly all ensuing debate on the limits of governmental power in the United States” are collected in this volume. They include Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania… more

This anthology unites the most significant political writing from the compendium known as The Encyclopedia. It includes eighty-one of the most original, controversial and representative articles on political ideas, practices, and… more

An 11 volume collection of the English works of Thomas Hobbes which includes his best known work of philosophy and history as well as his notable translations of Thucydides and Homer.

One of the major works of English political philosophy, Hobbes’ Leviathan was written during the English Revolution. It deals with the nature of sovereignty, how stable political power might be created, how wars might be avoided, and… more

This is a collection of classic works on liberty from the Online Library of Liberty collection which have been “enhanced” to assist readers is learning more about these important works. The enhancements include, in addition to the… more

Godwin’s best known work of political theory. Written in the early years of the French Revolution before the Terror had begun, Godwin provides a devastating critique of unjust government institutions and optimistically proposes that… more

Godwin’s best known work of political theory. Written in the early years of the French Revolution before the Terror had begun, Godwin provides a devastating critique of unjust government institutions and optimistically proposes that… more

Godwin’s best known work of political theory. Written in the early years of the French Revolution before the Terror had begun, Godwin provides a devastating critique of unjust government institutions and optimistically proposes that… more

Gordon takes issue with some of the main natural law theorists, Pufendorf, Barbeyrac and Grotius, over the right of subjects to obey a tyrannical king or of slaves to obey their master. Gordon goes to the root of the problem by… more

Hosgskin began his interesting career as a radical individualist and natural rights defender of the free market with this pamphlet criticising the British naval policy of impressing (i.e. conscripting) sailors into the navy and using… more

One of Priestley’s first extended discussions of the nature of civil liberty.

The first of many anti-slavery tracts written by the Quaker Thomas Clarkson. This one began as a prize-winning Latin dissertation submitted to Cambridge University in 1785. In it he examines the history of slavery, the slave trade,… more

This edition of Hume’s much neglected philosophical essays contains the thirty-nine essays included in Essays, Moral, and Literary, that made up Volume I of the 1777 posthumous Essays and Treatises on Several Subjects. It also… more

The essays selected here for translation derive largely from Thomasius’s work on Staatskirchenrecht, or the political jurisprudence of church law. These works, originating as disputations, theses, and pamphlets, were direct… more

Volume 1 of a three volume collection of Spencer’s essays which cover political philosophy, sociology, science, and current affairs.

Volume 2 of a three volume collection of Spencer’s essays which cover political philosophy, sociology, science, and current affairs.

Volume 3 of a three volume collection of Spencer’s essays which cover political philosophy, sociology, science, and current affairs.

This was the second work by George Grote on parliamentary reform. It was published on the eve of the passage of the First Reform Act of 1832 which largely achieved the goals of the Philosophic Radicals around James Mill.

First published in 1656, The Excellencie of a Free-State addressed a dilemma in English politics, namely, what kind of government should the Commonwealth adopt? One possibility was to revert to the ancient constitution and create a… more

Exploring the Bounds of Liberty is a 3 vol. collection which presents a rich and extensive selection of the political literature produced in and about colonial British America during the century before the American Revolution. Most… more

Exploring the Bounds of Liberty is a 3 vol. collection which presents a rich and extensive selection of the political literature produced in and about colonial British America during the century before the American Revolution… more

Exploring the Bounds of Liberty is a 3 vol. collection which presents a rich and extensive selection of the political literature produced in and about colonial British America during the century before the American Revolution… more

Exploring the Bounds of Liberty is a 3 vol. collection which presents a rich and extensive selection of the political literature produced in and about colonial British America during the century before the American Revolution… more

This file contains the following extracts from the Jeffersonian Cyclopedia: the editor’s Preface, the illustrations of Jefferson, a chronology of his life and work, the appendix of key documents, and the Topical Index.

An extraordinary document which details the corruption and financial abuses of the British government ax well as the sinecures and privileges of the army, church, and other groups. It was drawn up by John Wade as part of the radical… more

Thorpe was commissioned by the U.S. Congress to edit a 7 volume collection of Colonial, Federal and State constitutions in 1906. The volumes are in alphabetical order, with Volume 1 dealing with United States-Alabama-District of… more

Thorpe was commissioned by the U.S. Congress to edit a 7 volume collection of Colonial, Federal and State constitutions in 1906. The volumes are in alphabetical order, with Volume 1 dealing with Alabama through the District of… more

Thorpe was commissioned by the U.S. Congress to edit a 7 volume collection of Colonial, Federal and State constitutions in 1906. The volumes are in alphabetical order, with Volume 2 dealing with Florida through Kansas.

Thorpe was commissioned by the U.S. Congress to edit a 7 volume collection of Colonial, Federal and State constitutions in 1906. The volumes are in alphabetical order, with Volume 3 dealing with Kentucky through Massachusetts.

Thorpe was commissioned by the U.S. Congress to edit a 7 volume collection of Colonial, Federal and State constitutions in 1906. The volumes are in alphabetical order, with Volume 4 dealing with Michigan through New Hampshire.

Thorpe was commissioned by the U.S. Congress to edit a 7 volume collection of Colonial, Federal and State constitutions in 1906. The volumes are in alphabetical order, with Volume 5 dealing with New Jersey through the Philippine… more

Thorpe was commissioned by the U.S. Congress to edit a 7 volume collection of Colonial, Federal and State constitutions in 1906. The volumes are in alphabetical order, with Volume 6 dealing with Porto Rico through Vermont.

Thorpe was commissioned by the U.S. Congress to edit a 7 volume collection of Colonial, Federal and State constitutions in 1906. The volumes are in alphabetical order, with Volume 7 dealing with Virginia through Wyoming.

The Federalist, by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, constitutes a text central to the American political tradition. Published in newspapers in 1787 and 1788 to explain and promote ratification of the proposed… more

Mill’s critique of Sir James Mackintosh’s “Dissertation on the Progress of Ethical Philosophy” was originally published in the seventh edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Mill comments on Mackintosh’s interpretation of Hobbes,… more

The first edition of this book. The greatest obstacle to rule of law in our time, contends the author of this thought-provoking work, is the problem of overlegislation. In modern democratic societies, legislative bodies are… more

The greatest obstacle to rule of law in our time, contends Bruno Leoni, is the problem of overlegislation. In modern democratic societies, legislative bodies are increasingly usurping functions that were and should be exercised by… more

A collection of pamphlets, speeches, and other pro-ratification writings of George Washington, Benjamin Rush, Nicholas Collin, John Dickinson, James Wilson, Tench Coxe, Benjamin Franklin, Noah Webster, Roger Sherman, Fisher Ames,… more

A collection of Chodorov’s essays selected from The Freeman and Human Events and other publications.

Burke continued arguing about the French Revolution throughout the 1790s in a series of letters and pamphlets, the most significant being “An Appeal from the New to the Old Whigs”.

George Washington speaks for himself on behalf of liberty and the emerging American republic. Drawing extensively on his correspondence, this volume includes all of his presidential addresses, various public proclamations, his last… more

One of the articles James Mill wrote for the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Thinking she was close to death Martineau wrote her autobiography in 1855 but lived for another 20 years. She recounts her activities in various mid-19th century reform movements, her struggle to become a professional writer, and her… more

Thinking she was close to death Martineau wrote her autobiography in 1855 but lived for another 20 years. She recounts her activities in various mid-19th century reform movements, her struggle to become a professional writer, and her… more

Thinking she was close to death Martineau wrote her autobiography in 1855 but lived for another 20 years. She recounts her activities in various mid-19th century reform movements, her struggle to become a professional writer, and her… more

A posthumously published collection of essays on historical topics and important political and literary figures which had appeared in magazines such as the North American review, the Edinburgh Review, the Pall Mall Gazette, and the… more

In 1875, at only twenty-five years of age, Maitland, in pursuit of a fellowship in Cambridge University, submitted a this remarkable work. He went on to become one of greatest legal historians of his time.

A 4 volume set of Machiavelli’s writings.

Volume 1 of a 4 volume set of Machiavelli’s writings which contains a lengthy introduction on the life of Machiavelli, the History of Florence, The Prince, Discourses on Livy, and his letters and papers from his time as a diplomat.… more

Volume 2 of a 4 volume set of Machiavelli’s writings which contains a lengthy introduction on the life of Machiavelli, the History of Florence, The Prince, Discourses on Livy, and his letters and papers from his time as a diplomat.… more

Volume 3 of a 4 volume set of Machiavelli’s writings which contains a lengthy introduction on the life of Machiavelli, the History of Florence, The Prince, Discourses on Livy, and his letters and papers from his time as a diplomat.… more

Volume 4 of a 4 volume set of Machiavelli’s writings which contains a lengthy introduction on the life of Machiavelli, the History of Florence, The Prince, Discourses on Livy, and his letters and papers from his time as a diplomat.… more

Hobbes on Civil Association consists of Oakeshott’s four principal essays on Hobbes and on the nature of civil association as civil association pertains to ordered liberty. The essays are “Introduction to Leviathan” (1946); “The… more

A collection of 4 of the best known works about utopias: Rousseau’s Social Contract, More’s Utopia, Bacon’s New Atlantis, and Campanella’s City of the Sun.

A German edition of Humboldt’s great work on limited government and individual autonomy.

Written nearly fifty years ago, at a time when the world was still wrestling with the concepts of Marx and Lenin, The Illusion of the Epoch is the perfect resource for understanding the roots of Marxism-Leninism and its implications… more

In Pursuit: Of Happiness and Good Government begins by examining James Madison’s statement: “A good government implies two things; first, fidelity to the object of government, which is the happiness of the people; secondly, a… more

Trenchard and Gordon wrote articles for this weekly journal during the period 1720-21 just before they began work on their better known periodical Cato’s Letters which appeared 1720-23. In a total of 53 essays they criticized the… more

Trenchard and Gordon wrote articles for this weekly journal during the period 1720-21 just before they began work on their better known periodical Cato’s Letters which appeared 1720-23. In a total of 53 essays they criticized the… more

Trenchard and Gordon wrote articles for this weekly journal during the period 1720-21 just before they began work on their better known periodical Cato’s Letters which appeared 1720-23. In a total of 53 essays they criticized the… more

Trenchard and Gordon wrote articles for this weekly journal during the period 1720-21 just before they began work on their better known periodical Cato’s Letters which appeared 1720-23. In a total of 53 essays they criticized the… more

The contents of vol. 4 are essays written by Gordon “during the Late Rebellion” meaning the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. There are 32 essays.

Donisthorpe provides a theory of politics from the individualist standpoint in the tradition of Herbert Spencer and Auberon Herbert. He also attacks the rise of socialism which he regards as the greatest threat to social progress.

One of the few historical accounts of the development of the idea of individualism from its origins in the 18th century opposition to mercantilism to the radical individualists of the late 19th century. Schatz uncovers a number of… more

The major political treatise by Taylor, one of the Southern supporters of Jefferson, who opposed the centralization of power in the hands of the federal government. It was in large part a reply to John Adam’s Defence of the… more

The journalist M. Stanton Evans talks about his work as a leading journalist and columnist, his founding of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C., and the role of the press and journalists in a free society.

As leaders of the Institute of Economic Affairs, or IEA, in London for many years, Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon pioneered the thoughtful application of free-market principles and greatly influenced public policy and economic… more

F. A. Hayek was one of the most important economists of the 20th century, winning the Nobel Prize for Economic Science in 1974. A member of the Austrian school of economics, he taught at the London School of Economics and the… more

Jaffa talks about his work on American constitutional theory and history including the nature of the American Republic and the impact of Abraham Lincoln on constitutional matters.

An early leader of the classical liberalism revival movement, Leonard Liggio was one of the most ardent defenders of the tenets of personal liberty in the world. Liggio was the Executive Vice-President of the Atlas Economic Research… more

One of Bentham’s most important works in which he develops his theory of ‘utility’ at considerable length and discusses how the penal system (especially punishments) could be based on this theory. One of the founding texts of the… more

This is a 1,000 page alphabetical compilation of the thoughts of Thomas Jefferson. The entries are taken from the 12 volume collection of his works edited by Paul Leicester Ford. It also includes numerous illustrations of Jefferson… more

Author of The State, Anthony de Jasay, has been described as one of the few genuinely original minds in modern political philosophy. He breaks new ground with Justice and Its Surroundings - a new collection of essays that seek to… more

This is a German edition of Karl Marx’s multi-volume work Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Ökonomie which appeared between 1867 and 1894. Only the first volume appeared in Marx’s lifetime. The others were edited and published by… more

This is the first German edition of volume 1 of Karl Marx’s multi-volume work Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Ökonomie which appeared between 1867 and 1894. Only this volume appeared in Marx’s lifetime. The others were edited and… more

This is the fourth German edition of volume 1 of Karl Marx’s multi-volume work Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Ökonomie (1867-1894) which appeared in 1890. Only this volume appeared in Marx’s lifetime - see the first edition… more

This is the first German edition of volume 2 of Karl Marx’s multi-volume work Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Ökonomie (1867-1894) which appeared in 1885. Here we have a facsimile PDF of the 1885 edition. An HTML version can be… more

This is a German edition of volume 3 part 1 of Karl Marx’s multi-volume work Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Ökonomie (1867-1894) which appeared in 1894. Here we have a facsimile PDF of the 1894 edition. An HTML version can be… more

This is a German edition of volume 3 part 2 of Karl Marx’s multi-volume work Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Ökonomie (1867-1894) which appeared in 1894. Here we have a facsimile PDF of the 1894 edition. An HTML version can be… more

Two essays by Rousseau on the issue of war written during the mid 1750s. The first is a critique of the Abbé Saint-Pierre’s ideas on the prospects of a European Federation to reduce the likelihood of war. The second is his attempt to… more

A collection of essays by a radical individualist political thinker on a range of topics which he called “the hardest nuts to crack”, in other words, topics which pushed the theory of individual liberty to its limits. He discusses… more

This is a revised edition of Liberty Fund’s translation of Bastiat’s famous essay on The State which was one of the last things he wrote before he died in 1850.

Lectures given at the University of Edinburgh in the first decade of the 19th century. Volume 1 contains his lectures on population, productive and unproductive labour, and money. Volume 2 contains his lectures on free trade,… more

Lectures given at the University of Edinburgh in the first decade of the 19th century. Volume 1 contains his lectures on population, productive and unproductive labour, and money.

Lectures given at the University of Edinburgh in the first decade of the 19th century. Volume 2 contains his lectures on free trade, taxation, the Poor Laws, education, and his theory of government.

A series of lectures Dicey gave at Harvard Law School on the rise of collectivism in England during the 19th century and its impact on legislation.

This volume brings together a series of lectures A. V. Dicey first gave at Harvard Law School on the influence of public opinion in England during the nineteenth century and its impact on legislation. It is an accessible attempt by… more

This is a collection of 7 lectures which were given between October 7 and November 13 1999 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian economist Friedrich von Hayek. The lecture series was sponsored by Liberty… more

The 2nd lecture in a collection of 7 lectures which were given between October 7 and November 13 1999 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian economist Friedrich von Hayek.

The 3rd lecture in a collection of 7 lectures which were given between October 7 and November 13 1999 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian economist Friedrich von Hayek.

The 4th lecture in a collection of 7 lectures which were given between October 7 and November 13 1999 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian economist Friedrich von Hayek.

The 6th lecture in a collection of 7 lectures which were given between October 7 and November 13 1999 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian economist Friedrich von Hayek.

The 7th lecture in a collection of 7 lectures which were given between October 7 and November 13 1999 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian economist Friedrich von Hayek.

Part of the Thomas Hollis Library published by Liberty Fund. This volume contains A Letter Concerning Toleration, excerpts of the Third Letter, An Essay on Toleration, and various fragments.

Spooner criticised Senator Sumner of Massachussetts for not being rigorous enough in his condemnation of the unconstitutionality of slavery. Like all politicians, according to Spooner, Sumner made too many compromises once he entered… more

Spooner criticises Cleveland’s government, and by implication all U.S. governments as well, for violating the citizen’s natural rights and Spooner’s consent theory of government legitimacy.

A letter which first appeared in Benjamin Tucker’s journal Liberty in 1882. Bayard was a Democratic Senator from the state of Delaware who believed that enlightened people like himself were the fittest to govern in the US. Spooner… more

Millar writes letters to the Right Honourable Charles James Fox pointing out the harmful effects the war against France will have.

A collection of letters by Cicero along with his work on Old Age and On Friendship as well as some letters by Pliny.

Millar continues his critique of the war against France with letters to the Earl of Lauderdale.

Priestley supported the early phase of the French Revolution and saw it as an advance in human liberty, thus objecting to Burke’s severe criticisms.

The 1909 edition of Hobbe’s best known work of political philosophy is the edition used by Michael Oakeshott in his discussion of Hobbe’s ideas in Hobbes on Civil Association (1937, 1975 Liberty Fund).

Kenneth Minogue offers a brilliant and provocative exploration of liberalism in the Western world today: its roots and its influences, its present state, and its prospects in the new century. Minogue argues most Americans and most… more

The great Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises provides a concise and tightly-argued one volume defense of classical liberalism, focusing on the core concepts of private property, limited government, peace, and the free market.

The great Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises provides a concise and tightly-argued one volume defence of classical liberalism, focussing on the core concepts of private property, limited government, peace, and the free market.

This collection examines themes and ideologies central to the formation of the United States including Edmund Burke’s theories on property rights and government, the influence of Jamaica on the American colonies, the relations… more

This online discussion is part of the series “Liberty Matters: A Forum for the Discussion of Matters pertaining to Liberty.” Eric Mack discusses John Locke’s theory of property to which Jan Narveson, Peter Vallentyne, and Michael… more

This online discussion is part of the series “Liberty Matters: A Forum for the Discussion of Matters pertaining to Liberty.” Geoffrey Brennan assesses the work of the Nobel Prize winning economist James Buchanan with responses and… more

This online discussion is part of the series “Liberty Matters: A Forum for the Discussion of Matters pertaining to Liberty.” Roderick T. Long assesses the work of the French political economist Gustave de Molinari (1819-1912) with… more

This online discussion engages with George Smith on his book The System of Liberty: Themes in the History of Classical Liberalism (CUP 2013). Smith describes the works of the history of political thought which inspired him, and the… more

In this Liberty Matters discussion, Aurelian Craiutu argues that Tocqueville was not just an observer of democracy in America but also a theorist of democracy who wanted to create “a new science of politics” suitable to the new world… more

The political thought of James Mill is not as well known as it should be. This online discussion with a lead essay by Sandra J. Peart, attempts to reassess his contribution to classical liberal political theory via his dichotomy… more

The English sociologist and individualist political philosopher Herbert Spencer has been either completely neglected or badly misinterpreted by scholars for over one hundred years. In this discussion George Smith explores an… more

In this discussion David Hart surveys the field of ideological movements and present a theory of ideological production and distribution based upon Austrian capital theory as it might be applied to the production of ideas.

The Anglo-Hungarian economist Anthony de Jasay turned 90 in 2015. To celebrate this event Liberty Fund organized a Liberty Matters discussion of his work as an economic and political theorist which came to public attention with the… more

In this discussion of Montesquieu’s economic thought, in particular his ideas about the need for sumptuary laws in republics, Henry Clark of Dartmouth College investigates this little appreciated aspect of Montesquieu’s thinking and… more

In this discussion Randy Barnett explores the political thought and constitutional theories of the 19th century American individualist, anarchist, and abolitionist Lysander Spooner (1808-1887). He concludes that “Spooner’s approach… more

Rationalism, Pluralism, and Freedom (2014), argues that there is a tension within liberal theories of freedom, between views concerned with the risk of tyranny posed by the modern, centralized and centralizing, Weberian state and… more

The year 2017 marked the bicentenary of Germaine de Staël’s death (1766-1817). Although her name almost never appears in textbooks or histories of political thought in the English-speaking world her political thought is undeniably… more

Constant’s classic work in which he contrasts unfavorably the purely political liberties of the ancients with the far more expansive notion of liberty among the moderns.

One of the articles James Mill wrote for the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The 1874 edition of this work. Impugning John Stuart Mill’s famous treatise, On Liberty, Stephen criticized Mill for turning abstract doctrines of the French Revolution into “the creed of a religion.” Only the constraints of morality… more

The Liberty Fund edition of this work. Impugning John Stuart Mill’s famous treatise, On Liberty, Stephen criticized Mill for turning abstract doctrines of the French Revolution into “the creed of a religion.” Only the constraints of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published first by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the editorial direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published first by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the editorial direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published first by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the editorial direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published first by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the editorial direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published first by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published first by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the editorial direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

Literature of Liberty: A Review of Contemporary Liberal Thought was published by the Cato Institute (1978-1979) and later by the Institute for Humane Studies (1980-1982) under the direction of Leonard P. Liggio. It consisted of… more

A facsimile edition of the four essays that Spencer published as The Man Versus the State in 1884. Spencer develops various specific disastrous ramifications of the wholesale substitution of the principle of compulsory cooperation -… more

This volume contains the four essays that Spencer published as The Man Versus the State in 1884 as well as five essays added by later publishers. In addition, it provides “The Proper Sphere of Government,” an important early essay by… more

Written in late 1847 and published during the February Revolution in 1848, this pamphlet outlines Marx’s theory of history and his demands for revolution and the dictatorship of the proletariat.

The classic late-19th century translation of the Communist Manifesto done with the assistance of Engels. See also:

the German original an HTML version of the English translation

Beaumont and Tocqueville jointly collected information about American slavery on their 1834 trip, but Beaumont was the one to publish the book on slavery. The first part is in the form of a novel, rather sentimental at times but full… more

A 2 volume collection of material originally edited by Gustave de Beaumont after his death. Vol. 1 contains an autobiography, some previously unpublished essays, France before the Consulate, and letters. Vol. 2 contains additional… more

Vol. 1 of a 2 volume collection of material originally edited by Gustave de Beaumont after his death. Vol. 1 contains an autobiography, some previously unpublished essays, France before the Consulate, and letters.

Vol. 2 of a 2 volume collection of material originally edited by Gustave de Beaumont after his death. Vol. 2 contains additional letters.

This collections contains his philosophical writings on Locke, natural law, Thomas More, and Machiavelli; his historical writings on the Glorious Revolution, his defence of the French Revolution Vindiciae Gallicae; and several of his… more

A two volume collection of Macaulay’s essays. The first volume contains his essays from Knight’s Quarterly Magazine written during the mid-1820s. The second volume contains essays published in the Edinburgh Review in the 1830s and… more

The first volume of a two volume collection of Macaulay’s essays. The first volume contains his essays from Knight’s Quarterly Magazine written during the mid-1820s. The second volume contains essays published in the Edinburgh Review… more

In this 2 volume work Bryce surveys modern democracies including France, Switzerland, and Canada in vol.1; and the US, Australia, New Zealand in vol. 2.

In this 2 volume work Bryce surveys modern democracies including France, Switzerland, and Canada in vol.1; and the US, Australia, New Zealand in vol. 2.

In this 2 volume work Bryce surveys modern democracies including France, Switzerland, and Canada in vol.1; and the US, Australia, New Zealand in vol. 2.

My Thoughts provides a unique window into the mind of the author of The Spirit of the Laws. From the publication of his first masterpiece, Persian Letters, in 1721, until his death in 1755, Montesquieu maintained notebooks in which… more

Nation, State, and Economy, published less than a year after Austria’s defeat in World War I, examines and compares prewar and postwar economic conditions and explicates Mises’s theory that each country’s prosperity supports rather… more

In this series of letters to Lord Braugham, Hodgskin distinguishes between the natural right of property (based upon Lockean principles of natural law) and the artificial right of property (which is decreed by parliament). He… more

Carmichael was a Scottish jurist and philosopher who became the first Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow in 1727. His writings on natural rights theory, theology, and logic were very influential.

In this work Pufendorf argues for the separation of politics and religion. Written in response to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by the French king, Louis XIV, Pufendorf contests the right of the sovereign to control the… more

Initially sponsored by the University of Chicago Chapter of the Intercollegiate Society of Individualists, the New Individualist Review was more than the usual “campus magazine.” It declared itself “founded in a commitment to human… more

Although this is numbered number 1 there were only three parts to this series (1, 2, and 6) in which Spooner argues that the individual is not bound to obey the American constitution because it justified slavery and otherwise… more

Although this is numbered number 2 there were only three parts to this series (1, 2, and 6) in which Spooner argues that the individual is not bound to obey the American constitution because it justified slavery and otherwise… more

Although this is numbered number 6 there were only three parts to this series (1, 2, and 6) in which Spooner argues that the individual is not bound to obey the American constitution because it justified slavery and otherwise… more

A defence of the American Revolution by one of its key supporters in Britain, along with a letter by Turgot and a short essay by Mathon de la Cour (also known as Fortuné Ricard).

Price was both a supporter of the American desire for political independence and a sharp critic of the expences of the British empire.

An early reply to Burke by an English supporter of republicanism.

Observations on “The Two Sons of Oil” was written in 1811 in response to the Reverend Samuel B. Wylie’s work, The Two Sons of Oil, , Wylie pointed out what he considered to be deficiencies in the constitutions of both Pennsylvania… more

Observations on “The Two Sons of Oil” was written in 1811 in response to the Reverend Samuel B. Wylie’s work, The Two Sons of Oil, which was published in 1803. Wylie pointed out what he considered to be deficiencies in the… more

An edition of Harrington’s works by an 18th century Commonwealthman.

A late 19th century colletcion of Boetie’s Works with a long introductory essay. It contains Boétie’s best known work, the “Discourse of Voluntary Servitude” where he explores why the majority too often willingly capitulates to the… more

The 1st edition of Bastiat’s works is in 6 volumes and was published only 4 years after his death. A second edition in 1862 contained an essay on his life and work and an additional 7th volume of material.

Vol.1 of the 1st edition of Bastiat’s works contains his correspondence, his first writings from 1830-44, and a number of essays and book reviews.

A 7 volume collection of Bastiat’s writings.

Volume I of Bastiat’s collected writings in 7 volumes, which contains his correspondence and some of his earliest political writings.

Vol. 4 of a 7 volume set of the works of Bastiat. It contains the 1st and 2nd series of Economic Sophisms and a number of pamphlets such The Law and The State.

Vol. 5 of a 7 volume set of the Works of Bastiat. It contains several smaller pamphlets, his debate with Proudhon Free Credit, and What is Seen and What is Not Seen.

Vol. 6 of a 7 volume set of the works of Bastiat. It contains the 5th edition of the Economic Harmonies.

Lieber discusses the nature of civil iberty, its history, the rule of law, parliament, the independence of the judiciary, and includes a nuber of English, American, and French constitutinal documents.

Mill had been somewhat coy about publishing The Subjection of Women during his lifetime because he feared the condemnation of his peers for daring to apply the general notions of individual liberty which he had clearly spelled out in… more

Condorcet wrote this while in prison awaiting execution by the Jacobins. It is an optimistic view of the progress the human race will undergo when political and economic liberty are gradually introduced.

David Hart interviews Liberty Fund author and Professor of Social Science, Dennis O’Keeffe, about his translation of Benjamin Constant’s Principles of Politics applicable to all Governments (1815). O’Keeffe also discusses the… more

The Pacificus–Helvidius Debates of 1793–1794 matched Hamilton and Madison in the first chapter of an enduring discussion about the proper roles of the executive and legislative branches in the conduct of American foreign policy. The… more

A collection of anti-federalist pamphlets written between 1787-88 by Elbridge Gerry, Noah Webster, John Jay, Melancthon Smith, Pelatiah Werster, Tench Coxe, James Wilson, John Dickinson, Alexander Contee Hanson, Edmund Randolph,… more

Tyrrell was a friend and supporter of John Locke who also joined in the battle against the ideas in support of the divine right of kings expressed in the work of Sir Robert Filmer. There is much in this book about the power of the… more

During the wars of the French Revolution Kant was inspired by the Treaty of Basel to contemplate how both self-interest and international cooperation might bring an end to war. This edition is interesting because it was published… more

In this defence of religious toleration, Bayle discusses the words attributed to Jesus Christ in Luke 14:23, “And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be… more

The poet Shelley also wrote non-fiction like this essay on the need for political reform in 1820. It remained unpublished until it was rediscovered in the late 19th century. It is a tour de force of analysis of the powerful interests… more

An 1828 edition of the Essays, Moral, Political and Literary.

This 1887 translation contains Kant’s General Introduction to the Metaphysic of Morals and both parts of The Science of Right.

Pictures of the Socialistic Future is Richter’s satire of what would happen to Germany if the socialism espoused by the trade unionists, social democrats, and Marxists was actually put into practice. It is thus a late 19th century… more

A double page broadside pamphlet in which Spooner appeals to the non-slave owning population of the South to support the abolition of slavery.

Politica presents a unique vision of the commonwealth as a harmonious ordering of natural associations. According to Althusius, power and authority grow from more local to more general associations. Of particular interest to the… more

This works contains the prefaces and introductions to Sismondi’s main economic writings, as well as numerous essays he wrote for journals on landed property, national income, the power of princes, and constitutional monarchy.

Written during the American Revolution these economic essays cover topics such as money, free trade, the rate of interest, the nature of the constitution, public debt, bank credit, and taxation.

Volume I of a large two volume collection of sermons written between 1730-1805 by people such as Jonathan Mayhew, John Wesley, Moses Mather, John Witherspoon, Richard Price, Jonathan Edwards, and Noah Webster.

Volume 2 of a large two volume collection of sermons written between 1730-1805 by people such as Jonathan Mayhew, John Wesley, Moses Mather, John Witherspoon, Richard Price, Jonathan Edwards, and Noah Webster.

A translation by F.W. Maitland of part of vol. 3 of Das deutsche Genossenschaftsrecht (1881) entitled “Die publicistischen Lehren des Mittelalters.” It is a short history of the evolution of modern political thought which emerged… more

Vol. 1 contains The Treatise on the Commonwealth and vol. 2 contains The Treatise on the Laws.

The Treatise on the Commonwealth is Cicero’s imitation of Plato’s dialogue The Republic where he uses Stoic philosophy to explain Roman constitutional theory. He makes a connection between moral government and individual moral… more

The Treatise on the laws is Cicero’s imitation of Plato’s dialogue The Laws where he develops a Stoic theory of natural law as right reason. This book became very influential during the middle ages.

A two volume collection of the political writings of Richard Cobden which focuses on foreign policy, and war and peace.

Vol. 1 of a two volume collection of the political writings of Richard Cobden which focuses on foreign policy, and war and peace. Vol. 1 contains “England, Ireland, and America” (1835), “Russia” (1836), and “1793 and 1853 in Three… more

Vol. 2 of a two volume collection of the political writings of Richard Cobden which focuses on foreign policy, and war and peace. Vol. 2 contains the “Third Letter”, How Wars are Got up in India (1853), What Next - and Next? (1856),… more

This is an anthology of James Mill’s writings compiled from The British Review, and London Critical Journal [1815], the Supplement to the 4th, 5th and 6th editions of the Encyclopaedia Britannica [1815-1824], Parliamentary History… more

A 2 volume collection of Rousseau’s works (in French) edited and with thoughtful and helpful introductions by Vaughan in 1915.

This is volume 1 of a 2 volume collection of Rousseau’s works (in French) edited and with thoughtful and helpful introductions by Vaughan in 1915. This volume contains some of the Discourses and the first version of the Social… more

This is volume 2 of a 2 volume collection of Rousseau’s works (in French) edited and with thoughtful and helpful introductions by Vaughan in 1915. This volume contains the final version of the Social Contract and his work on the… more

This volume illuminates the origins and development of Penn’s thought by presenting complete and annotated texts of all his important political works. Penn’s early political writings illuminate the Whig understanding of English… more

A 2 volume set of Benjamin Jowett’s translation of one of Aristotle’s most influential writings. The editor provides detailed marginal annotations and lengthy introductions to each book.

Volume 1 of Benjamin Jowett’s translation of one of Aristotle’s most influential writings. The editor provides detailed marginal annotations and lengthy introductions to each book.

Volume 2 of Benjamin Jowett’s translation of one of Aristotle’s most influential writings. This volume contains Jowett’s detailed notes to each Book.

Originally written for the Quarterly Review, these essays question the commonly accepted justifications for “popular government” - Rousseauian natural law and Benthamite utilitarianism. The Liberty Fund edition based upon the first… more

Originally written for the Quarterly Review, these essays question the commonly accepted justifications for “popular government” - Rousseauian natural law and Benthamite utilitarianism. This edition is the 3rd ed. of 1886.

A short essay in which the great English observer of American politics evaluates the predictions of Hamilton and Tocqueville about the course of American democracy.

A heavily annotated edition by Burd with the famous introduction by Lord Acton. The text is in the original Italian.

This classic work by William Paley was one of the most popular books in England and America in the early nineteenth century. Its significance lies in the fact that it marks an important point at which eighteenth century “whiggism”… more

This 1891 translation includes a number of Kant’s shorter pieces on Universal History, Political Right, Principle of Progress, and Perpetual Peace.

In Principles of Politics, Constant “explores many subjects: law, sovereignty, and representation; power and accountability; government, property and taxation; wealth and poverty; war, peace, and the maintenance of public order; and… more

One of the articles James Mill wrote for the Encyclopedia Britannica.

A 2 volume collection of prose writings. Vol. 1 includes 2 youthful prose romances, the Refutation of Deism, his Declaration of Rights, an essay on electoral reform, and other short pieces. Vol. 2 includes A Defence of Poetry, On a… more

Vol. 1 of a 2 volume collection of prose writings, including 2 youthful prose romances, the Refutation of Deism, his Declaration of Rights, an essay on electoral reform, and other short pieces.

A mid-19th century 2 volume collection of Milton’s most significant prose works.

Vol. 1 of a mid-19th century 2 volume of Milton’s most significant prose works. Vol. 1 contains Areopagitica, The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates.

Vol. 2 of a mid-19th century 2 volume of Milton’s most significant prose works. Vol. 2 contains The Ready and Easy way to Establish a Free Commonwealth, The History of Britain, Of True Religion, and other works.

This collection contains the Putney Debates, the Whitehall Debates, and numerous other documents about Puritan religious and political views during the English Revolution. The collection has pieces by many authors including John… more

A defence of the Republic written on the eve of the restoration of the monarchy. Milton persisted in opposing rule by one man in favor of rule by those to whom power had been delegated by the people.

These are Tocqueville’s memoirs of the 1848 Revolution in France during which he was a Member of the Chamber of Deputies and a supporter the “party or order” against the socialists.

A 3 volume collection of the records of the Federal Convention which was held in Philadelphia between May and September 1787. The sessions were secret but the proceedings were reconstructed from notes kept by the official secretary… more

Volume 1 covers May 14 to July 13, 1787. The records of the Federal Convention which was held in Philadelphia between May and September 1787. The sessions were secret but the proceedings were reconstructed from notes kept by the… more

Volume 2 covers July 14 to September 17, 1787. The records of the Federal Convention which was held in Philadelphia between May and September 1787. The sessions were secret but the proceedings were reconstructed from notes kept by… more

Volume 3 contains numerous supplementary records, the Virginia and other plans, and an index by clauses of the US Constitution. The records of the Federal Convention which was held in Philadelphia between May and September 1787. The… more

A 19th century arabic attempt to identify the strengths of the West (free institutions, critical learning, and scientific and technical skills) and to urge fellow Muslims to adopt them without harming their Muslim faith.

Constant worked on this study of humanity’s religious forms and development throughout his life, publishing five volumes between 1824 and 1831. He sought to relate religious forms to historical contexts and civilizational… more

John Adams got to know Mably when he was in Paris in the early 1780s. Mably wrote a noted history of France and was keen to write a book on the American Revolution. He spoke about this to Adams who encouraged the project. In his … more

A stand-alone version of “The Republic” taken from Volume 3 of a 5 volume edition of Plato by the great English Victorian Greek scholar, Benjamin Jowett. The scholarly apparatus is immense and detailed. The online version preserves… more

This volume contains the principal shorter writings in which Adams addresses the prospect of revolution and the form of government proper to the new United States. There are pieces on the nature of the British Constitution and the… more

This is a comprehensive collection of Hamilton’s early writings, from the period before and during the Revolutionary War, and includes The Continentalist, lettters by Publius, and Remarks on the Quebec Bill.

A radical individualist appeals to the workmen of Tyneside in 1885 to give up demands for government intervention in the name of both morality and economic efficiency. The Liberty Fund edition includes this and other essays in the… more

A collection of essays by a leading late-19th century radical individualist and follower of the ideas of Herbert Spencer. Herbert discusses the moral problems of state coercion, especially when applied to state education, and… more

Paine’s pamphlet defending the early liberal phase of the French Revolution was written in response to Edmund Burke’s critique.

The English radical John Thelwall defended the ideals of the French Revolution and the idea of natural rights against critics such as Edmund Burke.

Otis wrote a couple of pamphlets in the early phase of the American Revolution which galvanized and radicalized the colonists’ opposition to the British Empire. In The Rights of the British Colonies Otis goes from an objection to a… more

Scholasticism and Politics, first published in 1940, is a collection of nine lectures Jacques Maritain delivered at the University of Chicago in 1938. Maritain championed the cause of what he called personalist democracy—a regime… more

This volume contains St. Augustine’s famous work on political philosophy City of God and On Christian Doctrine.

A 4 volume collection on Burke’s speeches and writings on economics, the American Revolution and the French Revolution.

This volume contains Burke’s speeches on the crisis between Great Britain and the American colonies. He did not dispute the right of the crown to tax the colonies but objected to doing so without the consent of the colonists.

Burke’s classic criticism of the French Revolution. It provoked many replies and Burke returned to the issue again and again.

The four letters in this volume (1795) were Burke’s last writings on the French Revolution. Even though the Terror had come to an end and a more moderate government known as the Directory had come to power Burke still thought that… more

This volume contains some of Burke’s speeches on parliamentary reform, on colonial policy in India, and on economic matters.

A collection of Bright’s speeches on colonial policy in India and Ireland, the Civil War in America, the war against Russia, and free trade and peace.