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An Exhibit on Governments

Building Societies

The Constitution of the United States (by United States. Constitution)
Harvard Law Review : Vol. 10 Volume Vol. 10 (by Harvard University. Law School)
Chronological Tables of the Chinese Dyna... (by E. R. Lyman, Tso-Ting Wang, Theodore Wong)
The Communist Manifesto (by Engels, Friedrich, Editor)
The Works of Aristotle : Volume 12 (by Aristotle)
Columbia Law Review (by Columbia University. School of Law)
Deposition of Air Pollutants to the Grea... (by Allan, Mary Ann)

Building Societies: An Exhibit on Governments

The titles in the Building Societies Collection include important historic works regarding the complex processes needed in order to manage conflicts and the details that arise when administering territories as populations grow. The exhibit contains the most important books written about the histories of rising and falling governments, conquerors and statesman, and important theorists and philosophers.

This presentation is representative of the most significant accounts of those that have shaped the world we live in today, including, but not limited to the most influential top 100 books in Government, Economics, Political Science and Philosophy Collections. On the subject of governance, Aristotle wrote: "...But one factor of liberty is to govern and be governed in turn; for the popular principle of justice is to have equality according to number, not worth, ...And one is for a man to live as he likes; for they say that this is the function of liberty inasmuch as to live not as one likes is the life of a man that is a slave..." (The Works of Aristotle, Aristotle).

The Illusion of Unity

The building of societies involves dynamic processes regardless of the size of the communities involved. The preservation of cultural, social and other historical information in manuscripts and books were (and continue to be) critical to express man's innate tendency to control their environment.

From Alexander the Great to King George III of England and the American Presidents, all rulers desire to expand their territories and control the behavior of their citizens for the purpose of peaceful existence. However, with geographical expansion comes the complex issue of social control. Scholars throughout history have intensely studied human behavior and different systems of governance in order to better understand how legal and political systems were developed. Books that have been important to the study of sociology and political science in our many collections are: The Republic by Plato, The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli, and The Two Treatises on Civil Government by John Locke, as well as a wealth of other important documents from around the world. Our journal and magazines include NATO Review Journal Collection, STATE Magazine Collection and the Historic and Rare Periodicals Collection,which is a rich 11,469 title source of government and historical research, and is available in English, French, German, Portuguese and Italian.

Ruling an empire or even a small territory is not simple. Governments (no matter what their size) are highly dynamic and populated by many individuals with changeable points of view. The political philosopher Karl Marx wrote about this dynamic in his book, The Communist Manifesto. Before this work was conceptualized by him, Marx would spend his days at the British Museum Library Reading Room meticulously researching industrial capitalists’ economic logic ("British Museum Reading Room," World Heritage Encyclopedia). Having personally witnessed the poverty and poor conditions of factory workers in England, Marx was compelled by a desire to change the dominant economic order of the times ("The Communist Manifesto," World Heritage Encyclopedia). Out of this experience, this much referenced work became a catalyst for the working class to critique and change their conditions via a new organizational strategy in an attempt to heighten the quality of their lives. Our Government Collection alone, currently contains has 285,945 titles, including audio versions of the top 100 most influential books in Government, Law, Sociology, Economics and Politics and Economics. For instance, Thomas Malthus' An Essay on the Principle of Population can be listened to from any device our members may use to access our World Library, as well as Aristotle's The Politics and The Organon - thus giving our members dynamic choices on how they want to experience the Classics.

The empire of Alexander the Great exemplified a powerful government that presided over vast territories - from Greece to Persia. His teacher was the philosopher Aristotle, who taught him that knowledge about governments could be gained empirically, and judged according to Greek civilization’s cultural conventions. The book that best best represents these studies for leadership and King Alexander is Volume 12 of The Works of Aristotle - early evidence that one man can change the world...if he has the will and belief that he is right (The Works of Aristotle, Volume 12, Aristotle). All this military and expansive action was inspired by what King Alexander learned from teachers and manuscripts.

Lessons from Past Governments

Governments of today are influenced by governments of the past. The Constitution of the United States, is an important historic document which set the precedent for a new form of Democracy, and this document was critical in the secession of the American Colonies from England. In the book, The Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists, 1783-1785 author Daniel Parker Coke theorized that the Constitution was created by the Colonists who opposed their dependence on British sovereignty, whereas the Loyalists sought to maintain that relationship (The Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists, Daniel Parker Coke). Ultimately, the Constitution provided a system of innovations from the past colonial government to its citizens, while protecting the interests of independence. The laws ensured that individuals cannot be excluded, or prevent others from accessing "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" ("The Constitution of the United States of America," James Madison et al).

Additionally, the American model of building society includes the establishment of Independent agencies which observe and participate in U.S. Congressional bill passages, in order to ensure that the practices and missions of government are tempered according to the Constitutional Law. For example, the industrial growth of the U.S. produced and emitted pollutants like mercury, lead and pesticides into the waterways and skies, which prompted the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to regulate industries so that they never adversely affect the health and lives of animals and American citizens.

The EPA report, Deposition of Air Pollutants to the Great Waters, found that coal and nuclear power would continue to supply two-thirds of U.S. energy until 2050. Pollutants, according to the EPA, to be a pandemic issue that needs to be dealt with carefully because the industries process resources, products, public services and infrastructures that the American lifestyle and culture depend on.

Law and the Everyday

Laws are important to government because they define the parameters of social development. There is a social contract between individuals and groups and governments. Additionally, laws are ever evolving, as are words and languages, and these will always affect the non-static institutional and infrastructural needs of a growing society. As such, the Socratic method of teaching are still used in schools and universities, and new theories are published in legal journals from leading universities such as Harvard and Columbia, two among the many publishers listed in Bluebook - an indispensable resource in law offices throughout the country ("The Bluebook" World Heritage Encyclopedia).

Law is intricately woven into business functions, such as trading, manufacturing, mining and real estate--government activities that are regulated by the economic principles of supply and demand. Khan Academy’s video "What Drives Oil Prices: Breakdown of Gas Prices?" explains how supply and demand govern the oil business. When consumers pay $4.00 at the gas pump, this cost covers the prices for crude oil, refined oil, marketing, distribution, and taxes. These particularities depend on government investment in infrastructures, such as shipping, transportation, and communication lines, which allows the product to reach consumers and support mobile lifestyles. ("What Drives Oil Prices: Breakdown of Gas Prices?" Sal Khan).

Moreover, the demand for oil is high, but its supply is limited. Costs are influenced by “Hedgers,” those consumers who pay for future oil costs at a pre-determined fixed rate, and “Speculators,” those who predict oil’s future price. Thus, the wants and needs of the paying consumer will influence the viability and legal regulation of the oil industry, and its auxiliary infrastructures and services, in the future. Without this feedback from consumers, philosophical theorists and politicians, society would be completely different than it is today.("What Drives Oil Prices: Breakdown of Gas Prices?" Sal Khan).

Works Cited

"Alexander the Great." World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

Allen, Mary Ann. Deposition of Air Pollutants to the Great Waters. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2000.

“Aristotle.” World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

Aristotle. The Organon, Or Logical Treatises, of Aristotle. Trans. Octavius Frieire Owen, M.A. Volume 1. London: Henry G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden, 1853.

Aristotle. The Politics. (n.p.) 1885. LibriVox Audio Recording: 2008.

Aristotle. Works of Aristotle, The. Trans. E. M. Edghill. Volume 12. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1908.

“The Bluebook.” World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

“British Museum Reading Room.” World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

Coke, Daniel Parker. Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists, 1783 to 1785, Being the Notes of Mr. Daniel Parker Coke, M. P., One of the Commissioners during That Period, The. Oxford: University Press, 1915.

“Columbia Law Review.” World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

"Columbia College, Columbia University." World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

“Constitution of the United States of America, The.” World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

“Dynasties in Chinese History.” World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

"Karl Marx." World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

Khan, Sal. "What Drives Oil Prices: Breakdown of Gas Prices?" Khan Academy, 2012. Video.

"King George III." World Heritage Encyclopedia. WorldLibrary.org. Web. 2014.

Locke, John. Two Treatises On Civil Government. London: George Routledge and Sons, 1884.

Plato. Republic, The. (n.p.) 360 B.C.

Machiavelli, Nicolo. Prince The. Trans. W.K. Marriott. (n.p.) 1532. Reproduced: Project Gutenberg Consortia, March 1998.

Madison, James. Constitution of the United States, The. San Francisco: S. Whitney and Company, 1881.

Malthus, Thomas. An Essay on the Principle of Population. (n.p.) 1798. LibriVox Audio Recording: 2009.

Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels. Communist Manifesto, The. Trans. Samuel Moore. (n.p.), 1848.

Wong, Theodore. Chronological Tables of the Chinese Dynasties. Shanghi: Shanghi Printing Company, 1902.

Government Collections

We should think of governments as evolving organizations that attempt to regulate the growth of society through laws, agencies and businesses. We should also remember that people can use these entities to define the government’s public good. The "Building Societies: An Exhibit on Government" features works from important collections in the World Public Library.

Top 100 books on Government

Uncle Tom's Cabin (by Stowe, Harriet Beecher)
Virginia Declaration of Rights and Cardi... (by Mason, George)
Declaration of Taking up Arms (by Second Continental Congress)
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (by Thoreau, Henry David)
The Works of Walter Moyle: None of which... (by Walter Moyle, Thomas Sergeant)
Essay on the Principle of Population, An (by Malthus, Thomas)
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (by Thoreau, Henry David)
The Letters of Junius
The Code of Hammurabi (by King, Leonard W.)
Communist Manifesto, The (by Marx, Karl)
The Origin and Growth of the Common Law ... (by Hamilton, Peter Joseph)
The Declaration of Rights of the Stamp A... (by Stamp Act Congress)
Leviathan (by Hobbes, Thomas)
The American Democrat : Or, Hints on the... (by James Fenimore Cooper)
The Magna Carta (by Hutchinson, Joshua)

Top 100 books on Law

Amendments to the United States Constitu... (by United States, Founding Fathers of the)
Utilitarianism (by Mill, John Stuart)
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (by John Locke)
The Development of the Associative Princ... (by Christopher Barker)
The Art of War (by Tzu, Sun)
The Relations between the Laws of Babylo... (by Johns, Claude Hermann Walter)
The Nature of the Judicial Process (by Benjamin N. Cardozo)
Economic Sophisms (by Bastiat, Frédéric)
Your Right to Federal Records Questions ...
The Laws of Plato; (by Plato)
On Liberty (by Mill, John Stuart)
The Critique of Practical Reason (by Kant, Immanuel)
The Federalist Papers (by Hamilton, Alexander)
Institutes of the Laws of England : Or a... Volume Vol. 6 (by Coke, Edward, Sir)
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of... (by Department of National Security)

Top 100 books on Sociology

The Theory of the Leisure Class (by Veblen, Thorstein)
Democratic Ideals and Reality : A Study ... (by Halford John Mackinder)
Society, Its Origin and Development (by Rowe, Henry Kalloch)
The Sexual Life of the Child (by Moll, Albert)
The Social System (by Parsons, Talcott)
Socialism (Le Socialisme) (by Durkheim, Emile)
The Christian Faith and Human Relations ... (by Bitting, William Coleman)
The School as a Social Institution; An I... (by Robbins, Charles Leonidas)
Whirligigs (by Henry, O.)
Catholic and Protestant Countries Compar... (by Young, Alfred)
Village Life in China; A Study in Sociol... (by Smith, Arthur Henderson)
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of... (by Smith, Adam)
Social Physics: From the Positive Philos... (by Auguste Comte)
Theories of society; foundations of mode... (by Parsons, Talcott)
The Principles of Sociology : Volume 3 (by Spencer, Herbert)

Top 100 books on Politics

Proposed Roads to Freedom : Socialism, A... (by Russell, Bertrand)
Walden & on the Duty of Civil Disobedien... (by Thoreau, Henry David)
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawy... (by Twain, Mark)
Excerpts from Frame of Government of Pen... (by Penn, William)
Anarchism and Other Essays (by Emma Goldman)
Apology, Score Plato Apology (by Plato)
A Modest Proposal (by Swift, Jonathan)
Souls of Black Folk, The (by Du Bois, W.E.B.)
Politics (by Aristotle)
Candide (by Voltaire)
Anthem (by Rand, Ayn)
The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle (by Aristotle, Frank Hesketh Peters)
Utilitarianism (by Mill, John Stuart)
The Federalist Papers (by Hamilton, Alexander)
History of the Peloponnesian War (by Thucydides)

Top 100 books on Economics

The Poverty of Philosophy (by Marx, Karl)
The Theory of Moral Sentiments (by Smith, Adam)
In Praise of Poverty
Nature and Progress of Rent (by Malthus, Thomas)
Cecil Rhodes; The Man and His Work (by Le Sueur, Gordon)
The Collapse of Capitalism (by Cahn, Herman)
Leviathan (Books I and II) (by Hobbes, Thomas)
A synopsis of the first three books of J... (by Mill, John Stuart)
An Essay on the Principle of Population (by Malthus, Thomas)
Effects of the Corn Laws (by Malthus, Thomas)
The Abolition of Poverty (by Hollander, Jacob Harry)
The Way to Wealth; Or, Poor Richard Impr... (by Franklin, Benjamin)
The Jews and Modern Capitalism (by Werner Sombert)
On the Principles of Political Economy, ... (by David Ricardo)
Oeconomicus (by Xenophon, of Athens)

Canada Government Collection

Lancashire Nonconformity; Or, Sketches, ... Volume Vol. 2
Letters on the Origin and Progress of th...
Lectures on Preaching : Vol. 1 Volume Vol. 1
Lectures on Modern Idealism (by Yale University, James Wesley Cooper Memorial Publ...)
Le Federalisme Fiscal en Belgique (by Gerard, Marcel)
The Latest Word of Universalism : Thirte...
Memoir de Lordre des Cga du Quebec (by Ordre Des Cga Du Québec)
The Letters of John Stuart Mill : Volume... (by Elliot, Hugh Samuel Roger)
Lectures on Christian Baptism
Lancashire : Its Puritanism and Nonconfo... Volume Vol. 2
Les Equilibres et Desequilibres du Systé... (by Walti, Sonja)
Memoire Presente a la Commission sur le ... (by Boivin, Pierre-Yves)
History of Latin Christianity : Includin... Volume Vol. 4
Lancashire Nonconformity; Or, Sketches, ... Volume Vol. 5
Forces Behind Centralization and Decentr... (by Wallin, Bruce A.)