Looking for a good book.....

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[CombatMuffin]

I do not believe in Natural Law. The main reason is because you are changed and shaped by experience, which is shaped by environmental factors, such as society and your physical surroundings. Its not the point of the topic, though I'd be willing to discuss it further in a separate one or wherever.

[Crono]

For a good clear definition of what "natural law" is, read St. Thomas Moore.  He authored the book "Utopia" and is also the originator of that word.

As best as I can define it.  Natural law is that by which is inherent in the human psyche.  Liberty, freedom, and the and all those rights that are inherent us all as humans.  Its what every human seeks, and its very non-authoritarian.  A clear example of a violation of natural law would be of prohibition in the US in the 1930's.  Its governments attempt to change societies and blatant breaking of constitutional law.  It involved not only the criminalizing of the consumption of alcohol but it also was an attempt of a small minority of the religious right to spread there beliefs upon the rest of the population.  Natural law provides that everyone has a unique opinion and person has a "right" to stifle that. 

[Crono]

Natural law is also defined by this, "an unalienable right that is given by God and cannot be legislated away."

[Jinker]

As to the OP: a little safety? when was the last time you were attacked by an insurgent in the U.S.?

[Draygon2]

If you love SciFi books then you have to check out the Vampire Earth series by E.E. Knight.  There are 8 books out in the series (book 8 just came out actually on the first of July).  Its a very well written series, with a unusual take on Vampires as you may think of them.

[relentless707]

John Stuart Mills - On Liberty & Other Essays
Noam Chomsky - Hegemony or Survival / Failed States

Very good reads for Political understanding, Chomsky's especially in todays current climate.

- Schwarzuhr

[Thtb]

DiskWorld if you want funny fantasy

[CombatMuffin]

If freedom cannot be legislated away, then why do Humans have to write it down?

All unalienable rights, have to be fought for. They are NOT guaranteed or unalienable in truth. It sounds pessimistic, but its true. Only the people with the highest perseverance and will power can truly project their own freedom. Thats why tyrant's exist: they have insane will power, and wish to impose their own freedom upon others for their own selfish urges.

Starship Troopers actually talks about unalienable rights, in a future where every single person in the armed forces HAS to be a volunteer(no one wants a pansy that doesn't WANT to be there). Dont feel discouraged because you watched the movie: it is ABSOLUTELY different. Every single piece of "Space Marine battle armor" in modern media is based off S. Troopers, including W40k

As far as ideological conflicts, John Steinbeck has a book called "The Moon is Down" where the story centers on  a small town recently occupied by German forces. The protagonists ARE the german, so it gives you a different perspective. Small read too, barely 150 pages.

I would recommend Gabriel Garcia Marquez, but its cultural reading and it won't give insight into foreign governments.

[Crono]

If you want to read something scary, read George Orwell's 1984.

[They Call Me SpitFire]

If your looking for a book let me get back to writing mine. Oh wait nobody likes romance books. 

[Greater Evil]

For a good alternate reality parallel on WWII look at Harry Turtledove.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Turtledove#Darkness_Series

For WWII generals read The Rommel Papers by well you can guess by who.

Or books by/on Georgi Zhukov.

[ThetaCommander]

Looking Backwards by Edward Bellamy is an interesting choice if you want to read about a utopian Communist world.

[Willshire]

Conversations with Stalin - Milovan Djilas
1984 - George Orwell
Federalist Papers

Thomas Paine and John Locke's work are great reads too, a good look on the foundations of what kind of philosophy this country was based off of.

And a book that really did it for me to secure my political beliefs...

Unintended Consequences by John Ross. A good history of the second amendment and of the people trying to infringe it. It's a good perspective, for me at least, for those who are for freedom and against it.

[Armandillo]

If freedom cannot be legislated away, then why do Humans have to write it down?

All unalienable rights, have to be fought for. They are NOT guaranteed or unalienable in truth. It sounds pessimistic, but its true. Only the people with the highest perseverance and will power can truly project their own freedom. Thats why tyrant's exist: they have insane will power, and wish to impose their own freedom upon others for their own selfish urges.

Starship Troopers actually talks about unalienable rights, in a future where every single person in the armed forces HAS to be a volunteer(no one wants a pansy that doesn't WANT to be there). Dont feel discouraged because you watched the movie: it is ABSOLUTELY different. Every single piece of "Space Marine battle armor" in modern media is based off S. Troopers, including W40k

As far as ideological conflicts, John Steinbeck has a book called "The Moon is Down" where the story centers on  a small town recently occupied by German forces. The protagonists ARE the german, so it gives you a different perspective. Small read too, barely 150 pages.

I would recommend Gabriel Garcia Marquez, but its cultural reading and it won't give insight into foreign governments.

Very nice Muffin