Post: #1

I realize this is a fringe topic, but I've noticed most of you have some sort of basic knowledge of political theory. Much like economics, it's good to know how the mechanisms of politics work. This thread is devoted to writers who have changed your perspective, both on the left and on the right.

For me, it would have to be Robert Dahl. After reading the dry material of Locke, Tocqueville and other 17th, 18th and 19th century writers, it was refreshing to read a modern writer who utilized empirical evidence to base his claims.

In his work Who Governs, he empirically outlines the city of New Haven, CT in the mid-1950's, and how democracies operate on the smallest level. This work illuminated the fact that democracies often devolve into bickering between vested interests, and the importance of social notables and economic notables in the society. He also speaks about "dispersed inequalities", and how some people are more apt to join politics while others only do so when their lifestyles are effected.

The most salient point I was able to take out of this work was the pluralist system, how many factions compete to gain power, but it is the governments job to act as the mediator. In New Haven's case, having a capable Mayor was of utmost importance, as he acted as the proper mediator in many cases, and balanced interests properly.

A close second for me would be Robert Putnam and Making Democracy Work. Both this work and Dahl's work involve empirical evidence which is why I find their points convincing.

So who is your favorite theorist (and his work)?

Post: #2

Thomas Sowell, Mark Levine ( liberty and tyranny)

Post: #3

Frédéric Bastiat

I strongly encourage everyone to read his magnum opus, The Law.

Post: #4

Mencius Moldbug.

Post: #5

I'm a big fan of Kissinger's views in Diplomacy concerning realpolitik, balance of power, and national interest.

Marx for establishing a dichotomy between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie are used frequently and easy to understand.

Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Clausewitz for a larger political framework of why actions are taken and what aims people mean to achieve.

Gutierrez and his ideas of liberation and a preferential option for the poor would probably be one I would recommend for anyone interested in contemporary Latin American politics and the current struggles of the Catholic Church. Might be too liberal for a lot of guys here, however.

Post: #6

Hans Hermann Hoppe
"Democracy The God That Failed" and "A Theory Of Socialism & Capitalism" are monster works of genius and clarity.

I also second Designate's pick of Bastiat.

Post: #7

I have a lot of favourites.

All time favourite political scientist and theorist is Samuel Huntington. Political Order and Changing Societies is one of my favourite books of all time.

I like the separation of powers stuff from Madison, Montesquieu, and Rousseau.

Even though I don't really jive with any of their theories, I have always been a romantic of the state of nature-society paradigm that Hobbes and Locke worked a lot with. Hobbes stuff is so dark it's always fun to read.

Mill is always an interesting read, especially his tyranny of knowledge by the majority/freedom of speech realm.

Lipset, Dahl, Hegel, Almond and Verba, Skocpol, Putnam, and Satori are some of my favourites in the comparative political realm. Ljiphart is probably one of the best of all-time.

Of course, old-school Aristotle and Plato are cool as well.

Post: #8

(02-09-2015 11:57 PM)Osiris Wrote:  Gutierrez and his ideas of liberation and a preferential option for the poor would probably be one I would recommend for anyone interested in contemporary Latin American politics and the current struggles of the Catholic Church. Might be too liberal for a lot of guys here, however.

You ever read any O'Donnell? His work on bureaucratic authoritarianism in the Southern Cone was ground-breaking.

Post: #9

Hoppe, Rothbard, Mises, Moldbug, Carlyle, Evola, Bastiat, Hayek, EvKL, Jefferson, Madison.

Post: #10

In no order:

Machiavelli
Thomas Hobbes
Hegel
John Stuart Mill
Leo Strauss
Allan Bloom
Francis Fukuyama
Karl Marx
Immanuel Kant
John Locke
Dewey
Thomas Jefferson
Henry Kissenger
Stephen Walt
Adam Smith (an economist I know, but still)

Post: #11

Gaetano Mosca is a good start. He figured out early on the elites will do anything to stay in power. Georges Sorel was a retired civil servant who noted that you don't have to carry out an action if the threat works. Saul Alinsky is one of the few American theorists I admire, although a lot of people grumble about his close association with the Ford Foundation. Alinksy wasn't afraid to dump a practice when it didn't work anymore. He would also call bullshit when needed.

Post: #12

(02-10-2015 04:07 PM)Americas Wrote:  

(02-09-2015 11:57 PM)Osiris Wrote:  Gutierrez and his ideas of liberation and a preferential option for the poor would probably be one I would recommend for anyone interested in contemporary Latin American politics and the current struggles of the Catholic Church. Might be too liberal for a lot of guys here, however.

You ever read any O'Donnell? His work on bureaucratic authoritarianism in the Southern Cone was ground-breaking.

I have not, looks interesting though.

Post: #13

Myself.

Then Christopher Lasch. HLA Hart was impressive when I was in school. Foucault explains a lot about the world as it is.

Post: #14

(02-11-2015 08:51 AM)TravelerKai Wrote:  In no order:

Machiavelli
Thomas Hobbes
Hegel
John Stuart Mill
Leo Strauss
Allan Bloom
Francis Fukuyama
Karl Marx
Immanuel Kant
John Locke
Dewey
Thomas Jefferson
Henry Kissenger
Stephen Walt
Adam Smith (an economist I know, but still)

Great list I would add Confucius to that list.

Post: #15

Hans Hermann Hoppe.

Post: #16

(02-09-2015 11:43 PM)ladderff Wrote:  Mencius Moldbug.

Who is this guy? I've seen indirect references to him on manosphere sites.

Post: #17

(02-10-2015 04:02 PM)Americas Wrote:  I have a lot of favourites.

All time favourite political scientist and theorist is Samuel Huntington. Political Order and Changing Societies is one of my favourite books of all time.

...

I have never read Political Order and Changing Societies.

Samuel Huntingtons' Clash of Civilizations is such an amazing book that I am surprised it doesn't come up more on this site.

I was in Croatia a few years back on a vacation, processing some red pill in the era of Trumps' election debates. I went into a small book store in Dubrovnik (old city) to grab a book because I was going to go chill on some beaches in the Greek Islands. An old Croatian lady saw me in the history section, grabbed the book and gave it to me. She said, "This man predicted everthing in 1996 before it happened".

Nothing could be further from the truth. I read a 1996 book in summer 2015 and it was eery. The old woman was right, his predictions are very accurate. To me this is my favourite red pill global book on international politics & underlying causes of conflict.

Post: #18

Post: #19

Aristotle.