The Politics of Obedience

The Politics of Obedience

by Ian Davis
sourced from Ian Davis newsletter
March 7, 2023

 

I thought I’d share a 500 year old text from French Judge and writer Etienne de La Boetie with you today.

Before you wander off, thinking this is all completely irrelevant, I urge you to download and read The Politics of Obedience: The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude, as nothing could be more appropriate for the times we are living in.

With an excellent essay introduction from Murray N. Rothbard, and exploring ideas of liberty, authority and Natural Law, as we face ever more authoritarian government, de La Boetie’s observations and proposed solutions are vital to understand today.

It’s a great translation from the original French and, despite it’s age, is surprisingly easy to read.

If you fancy watching an exploration of Boetie’s work first, check out this discussion between James Corbett and Keith Knight.

 

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Cover image credit: MoneyforCoffee


Alternative location to download  PDF: The Politics of Obedience: The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude

See related: 

The Voluntaryist Handbook: A Collection of Essays, Excerpts & Quotes by Keith Knight

(alternative location to download The Voluntaryist Handbook PDF