The Modern Political Tradition: Hobbes to Habermas

Without even realizing it, we all use the fruits of political philosophy. From liberty to democracy to community, the terms and concepts originated by political philosophers are ingrained in our global consciousness. Yet many of us have an incomplete picture of how these ideas developed and, quite possibly, a skewed perception of their intentions and implications. This highly relevant course sheds light on the labyrinth of Western political and social theory, as well as its influence on modern history. Guided by an award-winning professor of philosophy and author, these eye-opening lectures reveal how political philosophers, in responding to the societal problems and changing conditions of their day in revolutionary ways, created virtual blueprints of action for leaders. You'll gain not only the tools to comprehend the omnipresent language of politics, but a thorough understanding of the wellspring of thought that has emerged over centuries of political philosophy and the intellectual origins of major historical movements and events. Throughout, questions of democracy, freedom, and distributive justice are addressed, and revolutionary figures who have left an indelible mark on history - from Niccolo Machiavelli to Ayn Rand - are encountered. By the conclusion of lecture 36, you will have the context necessary to appreciate the evolution of a myriad of political ideas, including hot-button topics of today such as libertarianism, neoconservatism, feminism, and environmentalism.

All Lectures:
1. Origins and Conflicts of Modern Politics
2. Ancient Republics, Empires, Fiefdoms
3. Machiavelli's New Order
4. Hobbes, Natural Law, the Social Contract
5. Locke on Limited Government and Toleration
6. Rousseau's Republican Community
7. Kant's Ethics of Duty and Natural Rights
8. Smith and the Market Revolution
9. Montesquieu and the American Founding
10. Debating the French Revolution
11. Legacies of the Revolution - Right to Left
12. Nationalism and a People's War
13. Civil Society - Constant, Hegel, Tocqueville
14. Mill on Liberty and Utility
15. Marx's Critique of Capitalism
16. Modern vs. Traditional Society
17. Progressivism and New Liberalism
18. Fleeing Liberalism - Varieties of Socialism
19. Fleeing Liberalism - Fascism and Carl Schmitt
20. Totalitarianism and Total War
21. Conservative or Neoliberal - Oakeshott, Hayek
22. Reviving the Public Realm - Hannah Arendt
23. Philosophy vs. Politics - Strauss and Friends
24. Marcuse and the New Left
25. Rawls's A Theory of Justice
26. Ayn Rand, Robert Nozick, Libertarianism
27. What about Community?
28. Walzer on Everything Money Shouldn't Buy
29. Identity Politics - Feminism
30. Identity Politics - Multiculturalism
31. The Politics of Nature - Environmentalism
32. Postmodernism, Truth, and Power
33. Habermas - Democracy as Communication
34. The End of History? Clash of Civilizations?
35. Just Wars? The Problem of Dirty Hands
36. Why Political Philosophy Matters