American Priors

Religious Tradition

Niccolò Machiavelli’s handbook for rulers, 1513

Thomas More’s social and political satire, 1516

Paired biographies written by the Greek biographer Plutarch, circa second century

John Locke’s treatise on political theory that has influenced much of American political thought.

Montesquieu’s work of political philosophy that explores the nature and principles of forms of government.

Algernon Sidney’s defense of republican self-government popular with America’s founders.

“The Great Charter” of English rights and liberties, 1215

Parliament’s landmark 1688 act in English constitutional law

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