When you think of the word “conservative,” what images conjure up in your mind? A racist, rifle-toting red plaid-wearing man sporting a long beard with a rebel flag on the front of his trailer house? A bombastic, orange-colored political figure? The picture of George Washington crossing the Delaware? An elephant?

The term lends itself to these images because it is used broadly in our everyday conversations. When I used the term “conservative,” I am referring to people who believe in small government, meaning low government spending, few government programs, and few government regulations in addition to having a Biblical social perspective and a strong adherence to individualism.

This would exclude people who actually like a large government and want their figurehead at the helm of it.

“That means there were no truly conservative candidates in the political race.”

Yes, that’s true. I hate to be the first to tell you that.

My conservatism has come from genuine conservatives, or at least, those who modern genuine conservatives trace their intellectual roots from. Luckily for you, what I’m going to show you is in the public domain, and therefore free. There are other conservative books on the market that are not in the public domain that are very good, but if you’re like me, a college student, then you’ll want what’s free. Also, this is based on my personal preferences, so if you think there are other public-domain books that better define conservatism, let me know what those are.

In addition, these are also in audio format, so you can listen to them.

1. Two Treatises of Government by John Locke

The PDF is here. You can get the audiobook here and here. This is my personal favorite. If you don’t have a lot of time, then feel free to skip to the second half of the book.

2. The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The PDF is here. You can get the audiobook here and here.

3. On Liberty by John Stuart Mill

The PDF is here. The audiobook is here and here. This deals with social issues more so than the role of government. I personally feel like this book is libertarian rather than conservative, but it still offers valuable insights no conservative should overlook.

4. Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes

All four books can be found here. Audioooks 1 and 2 and be found here and here. Audiobooks 3 and 4 can be found here and here. This is the longest on the list, so be ready to commit if you start.

5. A Letter Concerning Toleration by John Locke

The PDF can be found here. The audiobook can be found here and here.

I will also leave you with the links to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engel’s pamphlet, The Communist Manifesto. The audiobook can be found here and here. Why? Because in the words of Sun Tzu, “Know thine enemy.”