Building Societies
An Exhibit on Governments

Building Societies
  • The Constitution of the United States (by )
  • The Works of Aristotle : Volume 12 (by )
  • What drives oil prices : Breakdown of Ga... Volume Microeconomics series (by )
  • Deposition of Air Pollutants to the Grea... (by )
  • Columbia Law Review (by )
  • Harvard Law Review : Vol. 10 Volume Vol. 10 (by )
  • Chronological Tables of the Chinese Dyna... (by )
  • The Communist Manifesto (by )
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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 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 CollectionSTATE 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
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
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.

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Top 100 books on Government


  • Communist Manifesto, The (by )
  • Chronological Tables of the Chinese Dyna... (by )
  • The Prince (by )
  • The Charlotte Town Resolves (by )
  • Lex, Rex : The Law and the Prince, A Dis... 
  • The Principles of Natural and Politic La... (by )
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin (by )
  • The Origins of Totalitarianism (by )
  • The Historical, Political, And Diplomati... (by )
  • The General History of England, Both Ecc... (by )
  • The Declaration of Rights of the Stamp A... (by )
  • Robert's Rules of Order Revised for Deli... (by )
  • On Liberty (by )
  • The Histories of Polybius. Translated fr... (by )
  • The Elements of Law Natural and Politic (by )
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Top 100 books on Law


  • The Trial and Death of Socrates (by )
  • An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (by )
  • Codex Hammurabi (by )
  • Politics (by )
  • Meditations, The (by )
  • Roman Law in the Modern World (by )
  • Confucianism (by )
  • Immigration Laws and Regulations. August... (by )
  • Human Rights (by )
  • The Fiscal Threat to U.S. Foreign Policy (by )
  • Constitution and Laws of the Choctaw Nat... (by )
  • North American Free-Trade Agreement (Naf... (by )
  • The Wealth of Nations (by )
  • The American's Guide: Comprising the Dec... 
  • The Nature of the Judicial Process (by )
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Top 100 books on Sociology


  • Theories of Social Progress, A Critical ... (by )
  • Theories of society; foundations of mode... (by )
  • Applied Eugenics (by )
  • The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonapar... (by )
  • Wanted, A Young Woman to Do Housework, B... (by )
  • Sex: Avoided Subjects Discussed in Plain... (by )
  • Young Folks, History of England (by )
  • What a Young Woman Ought to Know (by )
  • Almost a Man (by )
  • Essays in Sociological Theory (by )
  • Anthropology (by )
  • The Negro in Chicago : a study of race r... (by )
  • Social Physics: From the Positive Philos... (by )
  • The Principles of Sociology : Volume 2 (by )
  • The Principles of Sociology : Volume 3 (by )
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Top 100 books on Politics


  • Politics (by )
  • The Politics of Obedience : The Discours... (by )
  • Wealth of Nations, Book 1, The (by )
  • The History of the Russian Revolution Vo... (by )
  • Mutual Aid (by )
  • Narrative of the Life of Frederick Dougl... (by )
  • A Modest Proposal (by )
  • Politics (by )
  • Narrative of the Life of Frederick Dougl... (by )
  • Utilitarianism (by )
  • Twentieth Century Political Thought (by )
  • The Wealth of Nations (by )
  • Discourse Upon the Origin and the Founda... (by )
  • Vindication of the Rights of Woman (by )
  • Walden & on the Duty of Civil Disobedien... (by )
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Top 100 books on Economics


  • The Soul of Man under Socialism (by )
  • The Acquisitive Society (by )
  • Wage-Labor and Capital (by )
  • The Theory of Moral Sentiments (by )
  • The Bolsheviki and World Peace (by )
  • Nature and Progress of Rent (by )
  • The People of the Abyss (by )
  • The Decline of American Capitalism (by )
  • Wage Labour and Capital (by )
  • The Grapes of Wrath (by )
  • A Treatise on Probability (by )
  • Children of the Slaves (by )
  • Walden (by )
  • The Collapse of Capitalism (by )
  • Alfred Weber's Theory of the Location of... (by )
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Commerce


  • Polynesian : Volume 1, May 1852 (by )
  • A Treatise on the Law of Mortgages of Re... (by )
  • Treasury Bulletin : Issue Sep-53 Volume Issue Sep-53 (by )
  • Part Iii. Administrative, Procedural and... (by )
  • Modern Business Lectures Volume: 7 (by )
  • Prosperity under the Protective Policy S... (by )
  • Cours de Droit Commercial Maritime : D'A... (by )
  • Osteopathic Medical Oncology and Hematol... (by )
  • Polynesian : Volume 1, May 1849 (by )
  • Daily Digest (by )
  • Guide to the Study of Accounting (by )
  • The High Crime of Not Insuring. A Sermon (by )
  • Life and Light for Woman : Vol. 49: 8 Volume Vol. 49:8 (by )
  • The Works of Alexander Hamilton : Volume... (by )
  • Part I Rulings and Decisions under the I... (by )
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Economy


  • Quarterly Financial Report for Manufactu... (by )
  • In the Convict Camp in Greene County, Ge... (by )
  • Exploring the Use of the Views of the Pu... (by )
  • Trailer Camp for Defense Workers at Vult... (by )
  • Department of Education Office of Vocati... (by )
  • Project Performance Assessment Report : ... (by )
  • Money Income of Households, Families, An... (by )
  • Coinage and Money (by )
  • Inorganic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing ... (by )
  • Overview of Selected Epa Regulations and... (by )
  • Prices and price control in Great Britai... (by )
  • Donna, Texas Cabbage, Photograph 8B15712... (by )
  • Music Licensing and Small Business : Hea... (by )
  • Untitled : Photograph 8C16005V, 1935 (by )
  • Exhibit R-2, Rdt&E Budget Item Justifica... (by )
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Government


  • Kansas State Department of Education Con... (by )
  • Kleine Schriften Von Alfred Von Gutschmi... (by )
  • Abraham Lincoln (by )
  • Profiling the Needs of Young Female Offe... (by )
  • Ka Huakaii Mua Findings from the 2005 Na... (by )
  • School laws of Iowa (by )
  • Department of Education Submission for O... (by )
  • United States District Court Southern Di... (by )
  • United States of America Federal Trade C... (by )
  • International Marine Products, Inc. (by )
  • Vermont (by )
  • Atomic Industry Prospects Looking Up (by )
  • Test of Environmental Exposure to Arseni... (by )
  • 2Nd Division Monument Washington, Dc, Ph... (by )
  • Carpenters Constructing New Army Barrack... (by )
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History


  • Report of the Secretary of State of the ... (by )
  • The Sunburnt appearance of the skin as a... (by )
  • Sammlung der bedeutendsten pädagogischen... 
  • Schulthess' europäischer Geschichtskalen... 
  • Papitu; Volume: 32-57 
  • Polnoe sobranie sochineni; Volume: 4 (by )
  • Une belle journée (by )
  • Report of waste discharge, estuarine dis... 
  • The temperature and precipitation of Bri... (by )
  • Mr. Binney's address : [the Baptist Miss... (by )
  • The Temple Area. Jerusalem. the Dome of ... (by )
  • The History of Mason and Dixon's Line : ... (by )
  • The science and art of arithmetic, by A.... (by )
  • A List of Books on the History of Scienc... (by )
  • Proceedings of the Legislature of the St... (by )
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Canada Government Collection


  • Leaders in the Northern Church : Sermons... 
  • Projection des Equilibres Financiers des... (by )
  • Remarques et Documents de Reference Pour... (by )
  • Memoire du Conseil du Patronat du Quebec... 
  • Lectures on Christian Baptism 
  • Lancashire Nonconformity; Or, Sketches, ... Volume Vol. 6 
  • The Life of Principal Rainy : Volume 2 
  • Concept of Fiscal Decentralization and W... (by )
  • Les Finances des Collectivites Decentral... (by )
  • Will the Baby Boomers Bust the Health Bu... (by )
  • History of Latin Christianity : Includin... Volume Vol. 3 
  • Lancashire Nonconformity; Or, Sketches, ... Volume Vol. 4 
  • Landmarks of the Evangelical Association... (by )
  • Symposium International sur le Desequili... 
  • Liberal and Mystical Writings of William... 
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Department of Commerce Collection


  • Tax Time (by )
  • Gifts from outside Sources (by )
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis... (by )
  • Section XV - Chapter 81 Other Base Metal... (by )
  • Department of Commerce (by )
  • Total U.S. Exports (Origin of Movement) ... (by )
  • Total U.S. Exports (Origin of Movement) ... (by )
  • Inspection Port on Nexrad Software Maint... (by )
  • Total U.S. Exports (Origin of Movement) ... (by )
  • Fixed Reproducible Tangible Wealth in th... (by )
  • International Trade Administration Spain... (by )
  • Disqualifications and Refusals (by )
  • Section Vi - Chapter 30 Pharmaceutical P... (by )
  • Wadding, Felt and Nonwovens; Special Yar... (by )
  • Bureau of Export Administration Most All... (by )
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Department of Energy Collection


  • Office of Management, Budget and Evaluat... 
  • Roles and Responsibilities for Travel Fu... 
  • Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory of the ... (by )
  • Origins of the Nevada Test Site (by )
  • I-Manage Newsletter 
  • Managers Guide to Competitive Sourcing (by )
  • Energy Finance and Accounting Service Ce... (by )
  • U.S. Department of Energy 
  • Department of Energy (Series Report) 197... 
  • Letter of Obligation Department of Energ... 
  • U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Activ... 
  • U.S. Department of Energy Budget Roll-Ou... 
  • Intra-Governmental Payment and Collectio... 
  • Field Roles and Assistance Required for ... 
  • Department of Energy (Series Report) 
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Economics Publications Collection


  • United States of America before Federal ... (by )
  • From Patronage to a Professional State B... (by )
  • The World Bank : Directions of Railway R... (by )
  • Encouraging Tourists to Return to the Un... (by )
  • American Apparel Manufacturers Associati... 
  • Oecd Guidelines for Protecting Consumers... 
  • Lessons Learned to Date from Hiv/Aids Tr... (by )
  • Ghana Living Standaros Survey Interviewe... (by )
  • Perspectives on Competition Policy and t... (by )
  • Guide Pratique Pour les Projets Multisec... (by )
  • Re: Gramm-Leach-Biley Act Privacy Rule, ... (by )
  • Welfare, Market Power, And Price Effects... (by )
  • Iwei : Comments Regarding Health Care an... (by )
  • Re: Gram-Leach-Biley Act Privacy Rule, 1... (by )
  • Encuesta Condiciones de Vida- Segunda Ro... (by )
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Government Accountability Integrity Reliability Office Collection


  • High-Risk Series Federal Real Property (by )
  • Dod's Revised Policy Emphasizes Best Pra... (by )
  • Aviation Infrastructure Challenges Relat... (by )
  • Single Audits Demonstrate Accountability... (by )
  • Status of Recommendations from Financial... (by )
  • Workforce Investment Act Better Guidance... (by )
  • Facing Facts about America's True Financ... (by )
  • Terrorism Insurance Effects of the Terro... (by )
  • Dod Business Systems Modernization Conti... (by )
  • Mine Safety Msha Devotes Substantial Eff... (by )
  • Homeland Security Challenges in Achievin... (by )
  • Telecommunications Data Gathering Weakne... (by )
  • Financial Management Sustained Efforts N... (by )
  • Gpra Has Established a Solid Foundation ... (by )
  • Major Management Challenges and Program ... (by )
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Political Science


  • Columbus Drew; Something of His Life and... (by )
  • Final Report of the Education and Local ... Volume: 2004 (by )
  • Culture Management on the Nasa Hubble Sp... (by )
  • Two African American Boys, Full-length P... (by )
  • Elements of the Infinitesimal Calculus (by )
  • Foia Request (by )
  • Hearing on National Defense Authorizatio... (by )
  • Continuation of the History of New-York (by )
  • U.S.S. Terror Armored Monitor Being Fitt... (by )
  • Correspondence with the United States' G... (by )
  • Arrearage Tables of Amounts Due and Unpa... Volume: March 1981 (by )
  • Report concerning certain alleged defect... (by )
  • American Red Cross Building. Exterior of... (by )
  • Washington, D.C. Views. View of Washingt... (by )
  • The Future of the Asia-Pacific Economic ... (by )
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Periodicals: Journal and Magazine Collection (Historic and Rare)


  • Dominion dental journal Volume 16 
  • Journal : Iron and Steel Institute (by )
  • Master Comics: Issue 53 Volume Issue 53 (by )
  • Transactions of the Medical Society of t... (by )
  • Cumberland University Bulletin Volume 1910 
  • The Riverside magazine for young people (by )
  • Journal of Physical and Chemical Referen... 
  • Forschungen zur neueren Literaturgeschic... Volume 5-9 
  • Whither with Thoughts from Amiel's Journ... (by )
  • The Home Counties Magazine : Volume 8 
  • The Local Preachers' Magazine and Christ... 
  • Ohio University Alumni Journal, January-... (by )
  • E/MJ : Engineering and Mining Journal Volume: 87 
  • Zeitschrift für Ethnologie; Volume: 27 (by )
  • New York Illustrated Magazine Annual 
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