Books on US Government, Law, & Political Theory
Brush up on your Constitutional knowledge or educate your self in political science with this sampling of this library collection.
Last month, I highlighted books on American history in my library. Some may have noticed that I didn't include resources on the US government. Even though the study of government is often intermingled with US history, I shelve these books in my Law and Political Science collection.
In the Library of Congress catalog, Class J covers Political Science, including political theory, US government, local government, and international relations. Class K covers Law, and Class HX covers communism. In my library, I combined these classes.
I minored in Political Science in college and kept some of my textbooks, and my interest in civic engagement continues to this day. So, most of my resources are written for an adult audience. But I own a few children and teen titles.
Homeschool Resources
The Tuttle Twins
The Tuttle Twin series, written for elementary children, discusses law and economics in a picture book format from a libertarian worldview. I have the first 12 volumes. Adults unfamiliar with these topics will benefit from them, too.
The Tuttle Twins Learn About the Law draws on the ideas of 19th-century French political economist and classical liberal Frédéric Bastiat and his book The Law.
The Tuttle Twins and the Food Truck Fiasco explains entrepreneurship, competition, and protectionism based on Henry Hazlitt’s book Economics in One Lesson.
The Tuttle Twins and the Fate of the Future features the teachings of Murray Rothbard's book Anatomy of the State, which promotes persuasion over coercion.
The Tuttle Twins and the Leviathan Crisis draws on ideas from Crisis and the Leviathan by Robert Higgs, which shows that governments grow in times of crises.
Other Books and Texts
The Magna Carta, a Landmark historical fiction
The study of the US government often starts with the Enlightenment philosophers. However, the Anglo-American government has its roots in the 1215 AD Magna Carta, the Great Charter, that the English nobles forced King John to sign to limit his power.
Catechism on the Constitution: Revised from an 1828 Original
I just bought this book from Wallbuilders after my homeschool mom recommended it to me. This book uses the Q&A catechism format to help a child or adult understand the US Constitution.
The Story of the Constitution, a high school textbook
American Government in Christian Perspective, an A Beka high school textbook
A Beka Book State and Local Government Study Outline, the accompanying textbook
General Political Science (JA)
The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates: A Proper Resistance to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civil Government by pastor Matthew J. Trewhella
This slim volume gives the history of the doctrine of the lesser magistrate, and the author calls for Americans to utilize this doctrine today against the tyranny of our current government.
Foundations of Comparative Politics: A Policy Perspective, a college text that explains different political ideologies. Used in my Comparative Politics course.
Contemporary Political Ideologies: Movements and Regimes, another college text used in my Comparative Politics course.
US Government (JK)
From Tyndale to Madison: How the Death of an English Martyr Led to the American Bill of Rights by Michael Farris, cofounder of the Home School Legal Defense Association.
This fascinating tome demonstrates that the Christian faith, not the Continental Enlightenment, was the major influence in the writing of the US Constitution. Farris includes lengthy quotations that may be challenging to those unfamiliar with Elizabethan and Georgian English. Yet, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore the philosophy and Christian heritage behind the American founding documents.
The Antifederalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates
Democracy Under Pressure: An Introduction to the American Political System, a college text
Governing: Readings and Cases in American Politics, a college text
American Government: Politics and Public Policy, a college text
The Myth of Separation: What Is the Correct Relationship Between Church and State? by Wallbuilders
I’ve been wanting to read this book because this topic pops up in religious liberty battles.
The Government and Its People: How The Church Can Participate In Government and Study Guide
I picked up this 2018 book set a few years ago but haven't gotten to it yet.
Political Theory (JC)
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine
The Social Contract and Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The Big Lie: Exposing the Nazi Roots of the American Left by Dinesh D’souza
Law (KF)
The Law by Frédéric Bastiat
The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution
Of all the PIG books, both my husband and I found this the most challenging to read because the author writes at a higher academic level. Yet, we found it informative.
Faith and Freedom: A Complete Handbook for Defending Your Religious Rights
In the mid-1990s, I wrote a review for the Christian Library Journal on this book. I republished it in my library catalog.
The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, published by the Heritage Foundation
This book provides a clause-by-clause analysis of the US Constitution.
Founding America: Documents from the Revolution to the Bill of Rights
Socialism, Communism, Utopia (HX)
Utopia by Thomas More
How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World, volumes 1-3
This publication by Chinese practitioners of Fulan Gong and journalists of the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times describes communism as a devil that has infected the Western world. The authors refer to the Judeo-Christian worldview of Europe and America, but sometimes they make mistakes in their understanding of Christianity. Yet, the book offers valuable insights into Chinese communism and the goals of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).