Spencer’s most developed version of his political philosophy which grounds his theory of the state on an idea of justice based on certain rights of physical integrity, movement, property, and exchange. He then expands this theory to include a discussion of the rights of women and children (quite novel for the 19th century) and the nature of the state. He concludes that a state with very limited powers is best suited to allow human beings to flourish.

An influential English translation of a work which had a profound impact on the ideas of the American founders. Chitty brought it to the attention of 19th century English readers and it was brought up to date with additional notes by Ingraham in the 1850s.

One of the pioneering works in Austrian economic theory of methodology.

Voltaire’s “philosophic tale” is a clever satire of France in the mid-18th century. He makes fun of religious intolerance, the destructiveness of war, and the foibles of mankind. He concludes with a plea that we should all “cultivate our own gardens”.

Liberty Fund author Henry C. Clark, Professor of History at Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, talks to David Hart, the Director of Liberty Fund’s Online Library of Liberty, about his book Commerce, Culture, and Liberty: Readings on Capitalism before Adam Smith (2003). He discusses the rich intellectual history of capitalism in the 17th and 18th centuries, the contributions of some lesser known French writers as well as the better known English, the impact that commerce had on traditional European societies, the concept of “luxury”, the effect these economic changes had on the lives of women and children, and the links between commerce and individual liberty.

A collection of 25 of Cobden’s speeches on free trade given between 1841-1853. It was a cheap reprint from the larger two volume collection of his speeches and was part of Macmillan’s Sixpenny Series of cheap books.

The Koran is the holy book of one of the three major religions of the world. The founder of Islam, Mohammed, had a divinely inspired vision. According to the Koran, the angel Gabriel informed Mohammed at this time that he was the messenger of God. More revelations followed. These were written down by Mohammed’s followers and became the basis for the Koran. Mohammed preached against the quarrels between the wealthy families of Mecca and ordered them to take greater responsibility in the care of the poor. He also instructed them to put away their idols and the worship of other deities and recognize Allah as the one true God rather than just the leader of the traditional Arab pantheon.

An edition from 1821. It was written in 1795 when Britain was leading the Coalition of monarchies in a war against the French Revolution, this is Knox’s warning that war against a foreign enemy helps create despotic government at home.

A late 19th century colletcion of his Works with a long introductory essay. It contains Boétie’s best known work, the “Discourse of Voluntary Servitude” where he explores why the majority too often willingly capitulates to the demands of a tiny ruling minority, some translations of Xenophon and Plutarch, his own poems in French and Latin, and some letters by his friend Montaigne.

Mill took up the cause of women’s rights in the face of much opposition from his colleagues in Parliament. In addition to his parliamentary speeches on the matter his most extended defense of the right of women to own property and to participate in political life was The Subjection of Women.