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Ancient Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome
series of novels is the best re-creation of Roman politics during the
Republic.
The Trial of Socrates
- I.F. Stone - places the writings of Plato in the context of
Plato's and Socrates' support for oligarchy rather than democracy
Medieval & Renaissance
Medieval & Renaissance
Dorothy Dunnett
- King Hereafter
Among the other ideas she incorporates are the
concepts of the pre-capitalist, pre-mercantilist kingdoms [in Bobbitt's
terms, Princely states rather than Kingly
states] where the 'monarch' might actually hold little land, and whose power
relied on holding together an amalgam of territories that had no natural
borders. Her Nicolo and Lymond series
are excellent portrayals of politics and economics in these times
Neal Stephenson's Baroque Trilogy
is a magnificent journey through 17th century Europe - politics, and especially
economics are major subjects, as the characters learn and adapt to the evolving
capitalist system of venture and stock markets.
Machiavelli
Modern
Barbara Ehrenreich - Nickel & Dimed
George Orwell Down & Out in Paris & London
The Road to Wigan Pier
Kim Stanley Robinson & China Mieville use science fiction to explore
possibilities that Orwell and other social thinkers tried to adress. In
their societies, there's a mix of anarchism and socialism, cyber fascism and
nihilism.
Eg, Iron Council describes a soceity that is literally on the move -- a
workforce building a railroad goes rogue and takes the train with them -
retireving9old track as they lay new before them. Of course, a society
cannot accept such freedom and thery send out vigilantes and b ounty hunters to
regain their prooperty.
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Early American - Revolution & FederalismKevin Phillips - Wealth & Democracy,
Cousins's War
Inventing A Nation
- Gore Vidal
Perilous Times - Free Speech in Wartime
Edmund Wilson, To the Finland Station
John Stuart Mill On Liberty
Niall Ferguson
Afghanistan - Iraq - Taliban
After the American Century