Étienne de La Boétie

Written as a young law student and published after his early death, La Boétie's Discourse on Voluntary Servitude asks why millions obey one tyrant who has only the power they give him. His answer is habit, custom and a pyramid of beneficiaries, each favourite controlling those beneath; and his remedy is simply to stop supporting the ruler, who will then fall "like a great colossus whose base has been pulled away". It is short and the direct ancestor of Gene Sharp's theory of non-violent action.