• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 02:26
CET 08:26
KST 16:26
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT28Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book19Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info8
Community News
Weekly Cups (Feb 16-22): MaxPax doubles0Weekly Cups (Feb 9-15): herO doubles up2ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/0258LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals (Feb 10-16)46Weekly Cups (Feb 2-8): Classic, Solar, MaxPax win2
StarCraft 2
General
Terran AddOns placement How do you think the 5.0.15 balance patch (Oct 2025) for StarCraft II has affected the game? Nexon's StarCraft game could be FPS, led by UMS maker ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT Oliveira Would Have Returned If EWC Continued
Tourneys
PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar) SEL Doubles (SC Evo Bimonthly) WardiTV Team League Season 10 RSL Season 4 announced for March-April The Dave Testa Open #11
Strategy
Custom Maps
Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026] Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 514 Ulnar New Year The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 513 Attrition Warfare Mutation # 512 Overclocked
Brood War
General
TvZ is the most complete match up BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Soma Explains: JD's Unrelenting Aggro vs FlaSh ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/02 BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [LIVE] [S:21] ASL Season Open Day 1 ASL Season 21 Qualifiers March 7-8 Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Fighting Spirit mining rates Simple Questions, Simple Answers Zealot bombing is no longer popular?
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Path of Exile Beyond All Reason New broswer game : STG-World
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine UK Politics Mega-thread YouTube Thread Mexico's Drug War
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion TL MMA Pick'em Pool 2013
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Laptop capable of using Photoshop Lightroom?
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
YOUTUBE VIDEO
XenOsky
Unintentional protectionism…
Uldridge
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Inside the Communication of …
TrAiDoS
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2496 users

I'm looking for good Econ/PoliSci/Gov books, etc.

Blogs > ryanAnger
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 Next All
ryanAnger
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States838 Posts
August 17 2011 20:40 GMT
#1
Hey guys. I've recently found out that I'm not going to be able to formally further my education for quite a while due to some unforeseen circumstances dealing with my job in the USAF. As such, I've taken it upon myself to learn everything that I would in a university, regardless. I want to study the following fields, in depth: Economics; Political Science; Government. In the future, I would also like to study Law, but that's not as big of a priority to me right now.

My problem is this: I have no idea what sort of texts to read, especially because of the inevitable bias found in all three of these subjects.

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone who has previously studied, or is currently studying, these subjects to direct me to some unbiased learning resources, whether they be books or websites or whatever.
On my way...
AndyG
Profile Joined July 2010
United States22 Posts
August 17 2011 20:43 GMT
#2
While I'm a Math/Computer Science head and have no idea what books to recommend, I just wanna commend you for taking this step. Self-education, especially at a college level, takes a lot of commitment, so this is really cool :D Good luck!
AcuWill
Profile Joined August 2010
United States281 Posts
August 17 2011 20:43 GMT
#3
mises.org

It has hundreds of free economy books on Austrian economics.

TBH read different baised views and draw your own conclusions. Truly sterile text-books that are not biased in any fashion and try to appease everyone are so watered down you won't get anything of real value.

Caloooomi
Profile Joined July 2010
Scotland188 Posts
August 17 2011 20:44 GMT
#4
Best of luck, I struggle to motivate myself even at the best of times.
Booga booga booga~
ryanAnger
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States838 Posts
August 17 2011 20:45 GMT
#5
On August 18 2011 05:43 AndyG wrote:
While I'm a Math/Computer Science head and have no idea what books to recommend, I just wanna commend you for taking this step. Self-education, especially at a college level, takes a lot of commitment, so this is really cool :D Good luck!


Thanks. I've always been an autodidact, but most of my self-learning has been random and disjointed, and mostly web-based, so this whole "go to the library and get some textbooks" thing is brand new to me.
On my way...
Hider
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Denmark9433 Posts
August 17 2011 20:46 GMT
#6
On August 18 2011 05:43 AcuWill wrote:
mises.org

It has hundreds of free economy books on Austrian economics.

TBH read different baised views and draw your own conclusions. Truly sterile text-books that are not biased in any fashion and try to appease everyone are so watered down you won't get anything of real value.



This isn't really that you will learn at a university. Never the less this is real economics.
Zeri
Profile Joined March 2010
United States773 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-08-17 20:48:40
August 17 2011 20:47 GMT
#7
[image loading]

Michael Sandel is a political philosopher and a well known professor at Harvard. This book is absolutely great. Its essentially his famous class at Harvard called 'Justice' condensed into a book!
You can think I'm wrong, but that's no reason to quit thinking.
KaiserReinhard
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
United States554 Posts
August 17 2011 20:49 GMT
#8
If you're looking for some good sleep aids I'd go with some rum or brandy instead.

I kid, I kid, good on ya for studying for the hell of it.
twitch.tv/imkirok
ryanAnger
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States838 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-08-17 20:52:25
August 17 2011 20:50 GMT
#9
On August 18 2011 05:46 Hider wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 18 2011 05:43 AcuWill wrote:
mises.org

It has hundreds of free economy books on Austrian economics.

TBH read different baised views and draw your own conclusions. Truly sterile text-books that are not biased in any fashion and try to appease everyone are so watered down you won't get anything of real value.



This isn't really that you will learn at a university. Never the less this is real economics.


I don't necessarily want something that will be taught to me at university, I just want something that will give me an excellent understanding and comprehension of the topics at hand.

EDIT: To the guy who recommended "Justice" above, I found that there are full episodes of his "Justice" lectures online. Definitely going to be taking a look at them. Thanks.
On my way...
Myles
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States5162 Posts
August 17 2011 20:54 GMT
#10
On August 18 2011 05:50 ryanAnger wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 18 2011 05:46 Hider wrote:
On August 18 2011 05:43 AcuWill wrote:
mises.org

It has hundreds of free economy books on Austrian economics.

TBH read different baised views and draw your own conclusions. Truly sterile text-books that are not biased in any fashion and try to appease everyone are so watered down you won't get anything of real value.



This isn't really that you will learn at a university. Never the less this is real economics.


I don't necessarily want something that will be taught to me at university, I just want something that will give me an excellent understanding and comprehension of the topics at hand.


The 'problem' is that there are distinct groups in economics that have very different ideas. You will spend a lot of time and energy learning about the differences between Neo-Classical, Austrian, and Keynesian economics if you really want a strong understanding and comprehension. If you just want a basic understanding of Ecomics like you would get in an econ 101 class, just get any basic college textbook.
Moderator
BluePanther
Profile Joined March 2011
United States2776 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-08-17 20:57:52
August 17 2011 20:54 GMT
#11
Labor and Monopoly Capital by Braverman
The Rise and Decline of Nations by Olson (one of my personal faves, brilliant guy)
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith (very dry, but gives a fundamental background in economics)
The Prince by Machiavelli

It also doesn't hurt to mix a few extremist views, such as:
The Communist Manifesto by Marx
We the Living by Ayn Rand



If you knocked out these books, I think you'd be able to talk on an educated level about those topics. I think this list would also give you a wide view instead of tunnel vision.
Bartuc
Profile Joined October 2010
Netherlands629 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-08-17 20:57:49
August 17 2011 20:56 GMT
#12
Can't really give you any specific suggestions, but something I always like to do when self-studying topics such as these is to take many different philosophies and compare them objectively, not narrowing down too much on a specific one. It may sound obvious, but the act of comparing is a valuable learning tool and also helps you prevent becoming biased from only looking for reading material from perspectives you already posess.
It is a sign of strength to cry out against fate, rather than to bow one's head and succumb.
darmousseh
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States3437 Posts
August 17 2011 20:59 GMT
#13
For economics I recommend, Economics in One Lesson. http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understand/dp/0517548232
It is the fastest way to learn basic economic principles and fallacies.

As far as politics and government, that is a lot more broad. Do you want to learn about political philosophies? Or how the government operates? There are too many categories to cover.
Developer for http://mtgfiddle.com
ryanAnger
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States838 Posts
August 17 2011 21:00 GMT
#14
On August 18 2011 05:54 Myles wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 18 2011 05:50 ryanAnger wrote:
On August 18 2011 05:46 Hider wrote:
On August 18 2011 05:43 AcuWill wrote:
mises.org

It has hundreds of free economy books on Austrian economics.

TBH read different baised views and draw your own conclusions. Truly sterile text-books that are not biased in any fashion and try to appease everyone are so watered down you won't get anything of real value.



This isn't really that you will learn at a university. Never the less this is real economics.


I don't necessarily want something that will be taught to me at university, I just want something that will give me an excellent understanding and comprehension of the topics at hand.


The 'problem' is that there are distinct groups in economics that have very different ideas. You will spend a lot of time and energy learning about the differences between Neo-Classical, Austrian, and Keynesian economics if you really want a strong understanding and comprehension. If you just want a basic understanding of Ecomics like you would get in an econ 101 class, just get any basic college textbook.


The goal would be to learn all of them (Neo-Classical, Austrain, Keynesian, etc.) I'm the kind of person who can just read something once, and then it's in my head for good.

Also, to the above poster, I've already read the Communist Manifesto, and the Prince, years ago. I guess I should have probably clarified, I'm not ignorant to any of the subjects I want to study, and that my desire to study them in depth comes from my interest in them, despite (or perhaps because of) my limited understanding of them.
On my way...
BluePanther
Profile Joined March 2011
United States2776 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-08-17 21:06:11
August 17 2011 21:04 GMT
#15
On August 18 2011 06:00 ryanAnger wrote:


Also, to the above poster, I've already read the Communist Manifesto, and the Prince, years ago. I guess I should have probably clarified, I'm not ignorant to any of the subjects I want to study, and that my desire to study them in depth comes from my interest in them, despite (or perhaps because of) my limited understanding of them.


I wasn't implying you were ignorant, I was just giving you a group of books that would be a good place to start. I have a deep interest in economic sociology (have a BS in this), so your desire to learn more is not alone

I'm also former Air Force and a current law student.
Wesso
Profile Joined August 2010
Netherlands1245 Posts
August 17 2011 21:05 GMT
#16
My advice is not to read books, but to find online lectures and listen to them. I don't have an example for you, the ones I know of the top of my head are math/physics related.
MisterD
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Germany1338 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-08-17 21:07:06
August 17 2011 21:06 GMT
#17
for science with political aspects check out the berkley lecture physics 10 "Physics for future Presidents" -> http://www.youtube.com/user/UCBerkeley?blend=3&ob=4#g/c/095393D5B42B2266

pretty good stuff, and muller does a really good job at lecturing!

probably not exactly what you're looking for, but hella good nontheless.
Gold isn't everything in life... you need wood, too!
ryanAnger
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States838 Posts
August 17 2011 21:08 GMT
#18
On August 18 2011 06:06 MisterD wrote:
for science with political aspects check out the berkley lecture physics 10 "Physics for future Presidents" -> http://www.youtube.com/user/UCBerkeley?blend=3&ob=4#g/c/095393D5B42B2266

pretty good stuff, and muller does a really good job at lecturing!

probably not exactly what you're looking for, but hella good nontheless.


Anything works, thanks!!!
On my way...
xDaunt
Profile Joined March 2010
United States17988 Posts
August 17 2011 21:09 GMT
#19
I disagree with him vehemently (a quick glance at the title will tell you why), but you should read Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States."
Milkis
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
5003 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-08-17 21:10:26
August 17 2011 21:10 GMT
#20
On August 18 2011 05:46 Hider wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 18 2011 05:43 AcuWill wrote:
mises.org

It has hundreds of free economy books on Austrian economics.

TBH read different baised views and draw your own conclusions. Truly sterile text-books that are not biased in any fashion and try to appease everyone are so watered down you won't get anything of real value.



This isn't really that you will learn at a university. Never the less this is real economics.


Since when was austrian economics "real" economics? -_-???

austrian economics is a religion
1 2 3 4 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Replay Cast
00:00
LiuLi Cup Grand Finals Group B
LiquipediaDiscussion
AI Arena Tournament
20:00
RO8
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
WinterStarcraft612
SortOf 96
Ketroc 65
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 3268
ggaemo 262
ToSsGirL 71
Larva 19
NaDa 19
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm171
League of Legends
JimRising 530
Reynor95
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K1121
Other Games
Mew2King138
Livibee51
RuFF_SC233
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick706
Counter-Strike
PGL311
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 12 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 71
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Lourlo1566
Upcoming Events
PiG Sty Festival
1h 34m
Clem vs Serral
Maru vs ShoWTimE
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2h 34m
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
7h 34m
Replay Cast
1d 1h
Wardi Open
1d 4h
Monday Night Weeklies
1d 9h
Replay Cast
1d 16h
Replay Cast
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
The PondCast
4 days
[ Show More ]
KCM Race Survival
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
CranKy Ducklings
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 2nd Round
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Acropolis #4 - TS5
Jeongseon Sooper Cup
Spring Cup 2026
WardiTV Winter 2026
PiG Sty Festival 7.0
Nations Cup 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025

Upcoming

ASL Season 21: Qualifier #1
ASL Season 21: Qualifier #2
ASL Season 21
Acropolis #4 - TS6
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
CSLAN 4
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
RSL Revival: Season 4
NationLESS Cup
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
FISSURE Playground #3
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate marketing links that support TLnet.

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.