The Politics of Obedience and Etienne de La Boetie (Elephant)

“The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude,” written by the young French student and friend of Michelle de Montaigne, Etienne de la Boetie during the 1550s, is now a much neglected work (in English). The work’s importance and timeless quality is comparable to that of Niccolo Machiavelli’s “The Prince.” It is a very brief work of about 40 pages in length. This brevity is part of the work’s power. In these few pages, the author is able to explain the origin and inherent corruption of the tyranny of all government. The work is a classic in civil disobedience; I suppose you could say it defined the term. It should be read by all who value their freedom and view tyranny — in any form — as an abomination.