Society and politics books
Society and politics books to start from. Open one to see books like it, or tell BookSense what you loved for four picks made for you.
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New to the genre? These 5 are the books to read first.
Democracy in America
Alexis de TocquevilleAn early and still widely cited account of how democratic equality shapes associations, opinion, and government in the United States; the second volume followed in 1840.
The Origins of Totalitarianism
Hannah ArendtAnalyzes antisemitism, imperialism, and the rise of totalitarian movements and states in the 20th century.
On Liberty
John Stuart MillArgues for limits on social and state coercion of individuals, and for free expression and individuality, and is a core text of liberal political thought.
Bowling Alone
Robert D. PutnamUses survey data to argue that American civic engagement and social ties declined over the late 20th century, and introduced the idea of social capital to wide public debate.
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Jane JacobsCritiques postwar urban planning and argues that street life, mixed use, and local networks make cities function.
Chosen and described with AI from our notes on the genre.
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More society and politics books
- Leviathan
LeviathanThomas Hobbes - The Communist Manifesto
The Communist ManifestoMarx-Engels - Discipline and Punish
Discipline and PunishMichel Foucault - Imagined Communities
Imagined CommunitiesBenedict Anderson - The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.Max Weber - A Theory of Justice
A Theory of JusticeJohn Rawls - Who Governs? Democracy and Power in an American CityWho Governs? Democracy and Power in an American CityRobert A. Dahl
- The Prince
The PrinceNiccolò Machiavelli - Capital in the Twenty-First Century
Capital in the Twenty-First CenturyThomas Piketty - The Open Society and Its Enemies (1+2)
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1+2)Karl Popper - Amusing Ourselves to Death
Amusing Ourselves to DeathNeil Postman1985 - When Breath Becomes Air
When Breath Becomes AirPaul Kalanithi2016