Étienne de La Boétie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Étienne de La Boétie (... November 1, 1530 - August 18, 1563) was a French judge, writer, anarchist, and 'a founder of modern political philosophy in France.' He 'has been best remembered as the great and close friend of the eminent essayist Michel de Montaigne, in one of history's most notable friendships.' ..."
Articles
Étienne de La Boétie, Part 1, by Wendy McElroy, Freedom Daily, Apr 2003
Provides biographical background on La Boétie and begins examination of his "Discourse"
"La Boétie did not believe that the state ruled primarily through force. For one thing, there were many more slaves than agents of the state: if even a small percentage of the populace refused to obey a law, that law became unenforceable. Moreover, most people obeyed without being forced to do so. La Boétie evolved an alternate explanation that he called 'voluntary servitude.'"
Provides biographical background on La Boétie and begins examination of his "Discourse"
"La Boétie did not believe that the state ruled primarily through force. For one thing, there were many more slaves than agents of the state: if even a small percentage of the populace refused to obey a law, that law became unenforceable. Moreover, most people obeyed without being forced to do so. La Boétie evolved an alternate explanation that he called 'voluntary servitude.'"
Étienne de La Boétie, Part 2, by Wendy McElroy, Freedom Daily, May 2003
Examines major themes in the "Discourse:" custom, control of information, buying off the people and withdrawal of consent
"If La Boétie is right, if freedom is a natural human urge, then nature itself argues the logic of not cooperating with tyranny. There is something within man and beast that resists the tension of a leash. Rather than break the tension by attacking those who hold the reigns, La Boétie told people to let the tension go slack. People should refuse either violence or submission. They should simply say No."
Examines major themes in the "Discourse:" custom, control of information, buying off the people and withdrawal of consent
"If La Boétie is right, if freedom is a natural human urge, then nature itself argues the logic of not cooperating with tyranny. There is something within man and beast that resists the tension of a leash. Rather than break the tension by attacking those who hold the reigns, La Boétie told people to let the tension go slack. People should refuse either violence or submission. They should simply say No."
Books Authored
Discourse on Voluntary Servitude, 1548
Electronic text of the 1942 English translation by Harry Kurz available at constitution.org
Electronic text of the 1942 English translation by Harry Kurz available at constitution.org
- ISBN 155164293X
: Hardcover, Black Rose Books, 2006
- Kindle Book available at Amazon
- ISBN 1551642921
: Paperback, Black Rose Books, 2006
