Discourse on Voluntary Servitude

"Discourse on Voluntary Servitude" is a political essay by philosopher Étienne de La Boétie that explores why people often accept or even support their own oppression. He argues that tyranny persists not just because of rulers' power, but because individuals consent to it, often out of habit, fear, or complacency. La Boétie suggests that if enough people refused to obey or obeyed less, oppressive systems could collapse. The essay encourages critical awareness and individual resistance to unjust authority, emphasizing that true freedom depends on voluntary compliance and collective resistance against tyranny.