In this powerful and thought-provoking work, Étienne de La Boétie argues against tyranny and oppression by examining the psychology of obedience and the nature of authority. Written in the 16th century, "Discours sur la servitude volontaire" remains relevant and impactful today, offering a timeless reflection on the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of individual liberty.

La Boétie's lucid and persuasive prose challenges readers to question their own complicity in authoritarian regimes and to resist the allure of servitude. His insights into the dynamics of power and resistance are both enlightening and inspiring, reminding us of the enduring value of freedom and self-determination.

Overall, "Discours sur la servitude volontaire" is a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy, human rights, and the nature of governance. La Boétie's arguments are as relevant today as they were centuries ago, making this book a powerful testament to the enduring struggle for freedom and democracy.

Book Description:
Étienne de La Boétie was the closest friend of Michel de Montaigne and the subject of the latter's famous essay "On Friendship." Here, however, he tackles a different, more impersonal relationship: that of ruler and ruled. The argument in this work is encapsulated in this quote: "A people enslaves itself, cuts its own throat, when, having a choice between being vassals and being free men, it deserts its liberties and takes on the yoke, gives consent to its own misery, or, rather, apparently welcomes it." Montaigne claimed that Boétie composed this work at the age of 18, and it was published over a decade after the young man's tragic death at 32. Some commentators up to the present day have argued that Montaigne himself was the author, and that he used the cover of his late friend's name because of its radical content. Whatever the truth, these words have inspired anti-authoritarian thinking for centuries. - Summary by Ben Adams