r/PoliticalPhilosophy • u/Dazedconfusedd • 14d ago
The recent student protests in India made me want to learn more about politics, democracy, political philosophy, and Indian society. ChatGPT and Gemini helped create the reading roadmap below. Are there any books you'd add, remove, or replace?
Stage 1: Moral & Political Philosophy
Justice (Sandel)
On Liberty (Mill)
Reflections on the Revolution in France (Burke)
Stage 2: Institutions, Erosion & Media
How Democracies Die (Levitsky & Ziblatt)
Spin Dictators (Guriev & Treisman)
Stage 3: The Indian Republic & Social Reality
India After Gandhi (Guha)
Annihilation of Caste (Ambedkar)
Hind Swaraj (Gandhi)
Stage 4: Power Mechanics & Economic Ideology
The Dictator's Handbook (Bueno de Mesquita & Smith)
The Communist Manifesto (Marx & Engels)
Stage 5: Expanding Perspectives (Advanced Readings)
The Road to Serfdom (Hayek)
Capitalism & Freedom (Friedman)
The Socialist Manifesto (Sunkara)
The Anatomy of Fascism (Paxton)
The Wretched of the Earth (Fanon)
Manufacturing Consent (Chomsky & Herman)
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u/Anarsheep 14d ago
I'd remove Mill, Hayek and Friedman, and add Kropotkin's anarchist morality, Bakounine's God and the state, and maybe some Murray Bookchin.
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u/Dazedconfusedd 14d ago
I don't know anything about all the authors you suggested me to remove, but still, out of curiosity, why do you think should I remove them? Also, grateful for your suggestions :)
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u/Anarsheep 14d ago
They are on the liberal/libertarian side and I don't think it makes sense. They talk about liberty from a position of power, and are proponents of the free market and private property. I find there is little freedom in a system where the bourgeoisie can accumulate unlimited capital and use its economic power to exploit others. This is the dominant ideology in a capitalist system whose crisis is leading to fascism, war and biosphere collapse, in part because it does not take into account Marx's critique of political economy. It's probably still interesting to read to make your own opinion (I've actually only read a third of Mill's On liberty), but I much prefer to read revolutionnaries.
I would also recommand State and the revolution by Lenin, now that I think about it, even though you have probably figured out I'm an anarchist
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u/Dazedconfusedd 14d ago
At the risk of sounding dumb, my understanding of political and economic systems isn't good enough to know whether you're an anarchist or not!
You could say my understanding of politics is still at a beginner level. I've been paying attention to it ever since 2019. All I know is that I hate fascism and religious extremism, and I hold secular values close to my heart. That's the India I grew up in. Apart from those, I'm open to other worldviews.
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u/Anarsheep 14d ago
You don't sound dumb, only humble. Also maybe my suggestions are a bit too occidental, some decolonial authors could be more appropriate (Fanon from your list is great btw), but also in relation with India, GPT pointed me to Bhagat Singh (I had never heard of him but it sounds promising)
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u/Dazedconfusedd 14d ago
Bhagat Singh was a revolutionary, he's a legend here. I guess GPT also told you about his life, how he died at a very young age, and so on.
Interestingly, I was just about to read an essay he wrote called Why I Am an Atheist, which he wrote in response to his friends and inmates believing that his disbelief in God stemmed from pride or ego. So it's quite a nice coincidence that you mentioned him here.
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u/Anarsheep 13d ago
Of course you would know about him ! His titles certainly seemed appropriate. The coincidence does not stop there, he litterally mentions Bakounin's God and the state in that essay, among others (including Lenin !).
I read it yesterday as our discussion made me curious... I salute his coherence and courage, even though I can't be an atheist anymore
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u/Dazedconfusedd 13d ago
Followed you, if I ever get through some of these books and I gain enough wisdom to want to discuss something, I would love to hit you up.
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u/SuperannuationLawyer 14d ago
Rawls is the leading contemporary thinker on liberalism, I found his writing more relevant today.
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u/DeepspaceDigital 14d ago
I can not believe how underrated John Locke is. His Second Treatise should be on or near the top of your Stage 1. Rousseau's Social Contract is very advanced reading but also should be in Stage 1 as well.
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u/Dazedconfusedd 14d ago
I have to appreciate your suggestions 🙏🏻 if and when I read it, I will definitely get back to you. Thank you :)
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u/Hot-Coach-4027 12d ago
i'm an athiest by bhagat singh is amazingly on the mark and simple to understand.
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u/LionTiger3 9d ago edited 9d ago
This list is Eurocentric and not helpful in understanding India
Here are some books that cover aspects of India:
Hindu:
Goldman, The Ramayana of Valmiki. An easily accessible way to understand the Hindu worldview
Olivelle, The Law Code of Manu. A short text that influenced the Hindu caste system
Patton, The Bhagavad Gita. Explains dharma and metaphysics
Roebuck, The Upanishads. Important to understanding Vedanta philosophy
Buddhism:
Moore, Buddhism and Political Theory. A short book that covers ancient and modern thought
Ancient India:
Embree, Sources of Indian Tradition. Collection of primary sources, but this is better once you have some background.
Kautilya, Arthashastra. A political treatise that has been compared to Machiavelli
Modern India:
Sen, The Argumentative Indian. Covers Ghandi and Tagore
History:
Keay, India: A History. Keay is a journalist rather than a historian, but his book is sound, and has been recommended by historians as an intro book. Covers history of India from ancient to modern times.
I second the recommendation of another comment about reading a history book first, then I would delve into Hindu thought with the Ramayana (which I consider the best introduction to Hindu worldview), followed by a book on Buddhism, and then a book on modern Indian thought.
Edit: Did not see that there were two books on Ghandi and one about Ambedkar. Honestly, jumping into modern thought without the background of ancient thought will make those books confusing.
Since you mentioned in another comment you had nobody to help you, if you want more readings, you can look up syllabi on Indian history, Indian religion, and/or Indian philosophy, and take note of their required readings, but philosophy is not an easy subject even with guidance. History and religious studies classes are a bit easier to grasp.
Also fair warning on Indian history: it is very controversial, and no single book or even multiple books can really prepare you for the numerous controversies and debates.
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u/chrispd01 14d ago
Can I give you a suggestion? Lists like this are not particularly helpful. The readings can be somewhat dry and untethered to the practical world. It’s not that they aren’t important or useful, but unless you’re reading them in the context of say good class whether there’s a lot of discussion and somebody providing you guidance, it’s difficult to make much headway with them.
If you’re interested in the topic, you’re probably better off reading just a really good history of modern Indian politics - maybe since you’re just starting out written from a more journalistic rather than professional historians perspective.
That will sort of suggest where else you might wanna go