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THE POLITICS OF OBEDIENCE AND ÉTIENNE DE LA BOÉTIE

Étienne de La Boétie and Paul Bonnefon

Table of Contents

"Étienne de La Boétie: Life and Times" by Paul Bonnefon

"The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude" by Étienne de La Boétie

Part I:

The fundamental political question is why do people obey a government. The answer is that they tend to enslave themselves, to let themselves be governed by tyrants. Freedom from servitude comes not from violent action, but from the refusal to serve. Tyrants fall when the people withdraw their support.

Part II:

Liberty is the natural condition of the people. Servitude, however, is fostered when people are raised in subjection. People are trained to adore rulers. While freedom is forgotten by many there are always some who will never submit.

Part III:

If things are to change, one must realize the extent to which the foundation of tyranny lies in the vast networks of corrupted people with an interest in maintaining tyranny.

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