On Liberty

[lalalauren]

I read Mill's On Liberty for a Victorian Literature class and it really impacted me. His language and ideas have really influenced the way I think and write. Can somebody recommend some similar things for me to read?

[dosamantes]

John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government," especially the 2nd treatise. He was very influential with the Founders. And Mills's phrase, "tyranny of the majority," is found throughout the Founders' discussion and debate of the Constitution prior to ratification and, I think but am not sure, the Bill of Rights.
"The Federalist Papers" certainly are worth reading as well.

[OrphanPip]

You might want to read some Edmund Burke to get a different perspective.

His response to the French Revolution is interesting, and Mary Wollstonecraft's response to Burke, A Vindication of the Rights of Man.

http://www.constitution.org/eb/rev_fran.htm

http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=991&layout=html

Mary Wollstonecraft was a classical Liberal like Mill, but the Vindication of the Rights of Woman is pretty dated and a tedious read.

Locke is a great recommendation, although I've heard he can be difficult to read. He won't be providing you with the straightforward argument in support of Liberalism like Mill does. I've never read him first hand. I only took a few course in Poli Sci when I was in uni.

If you're interested in political economy, read Smith and Marx.

[lalalauren]

John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government," especially the 2nd treatise. He was very influential with the Founders. And Mills's phrase, "tyranny of the majority," is found throughout the Founders' discussion and debate of the Constitution prior to ratification and, I think but am not sure, the Bill of Rights.
"The Federalist Papers" certainly are worth reading as well.

I'm glad that you mentioned this because I actually just finished reading about early America for a history class and found myself very interested in the ideas behind the politics.


You might want to read some Edmund Burke to get a different perspective.

His response to the French Revolution is interesting, and Mary Wollstonecraft's response to Burke, A Vindication of the Rights of Man.

I actually just finished reading a bit about Burke and Wollstonecraft in history class as well. I'll have to check out those links soon.

Thanks for all the suggestions!