Political Theory 101

Political Theory 101

Author: Political Theory 101 Language: English Episodes: 96
Ever wondered how the ideas that shape our world actually work? Political Theory 101 digs into the concepts and arguments that form the foundation of our political lives, moving beyond the daily headlines to examine the deeper currents of thought. Each episode takes a single idea-like justice, liberty, or power-and unpacks it, tracing its history and exploring its modern implications. You’ll hear clear explanations of complex philosophers and texts, making centuries of debate accessible and relevant to contemporary issues. This isn't about partisan talking points; it's about understanding the frameworks that different ideologies use to justify their views. The podcast is a resource for anyone looking to build a more informed perspective, whether you're a student, an engaged citizen, or simply curious about why societies are organized the way they are. While the show remains freely available to all listeners, its continued production is supported by a community of patrons. You can find Political Theory 101 across major streaming platforms, ready to add some depth to your playlist and provide a richer vocabulary for understanding the forces that govern us.
Episodes
The Roman Economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:03
Drawing on the work of G.E.M. de Ste. Croix, Peter Temin, and Walter Scheidel, Alex and Benjamin dig into the economy of the Roman Empire. They explore the role of markets, the level of social mobility, whether a core/pe…
Mou Zongsan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:21
We discuss Mou Zongsan's effort to combine Confucianism with other traditions, his response to Kant, the line he draws between morality and politics, and his qualified embrace of democracy.
Wang Yangming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:26
Alex and Benjamin discuss the state of Confucianism during the Ming Dynasty. Should "li" be understood as "principle" or "pattern"? What is the relationship between li and chi? While some theorists, like Zhu Xi, hold tha…
Shang Yang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:17
Alex and Benjamin discuss one is on Lord Shang, a Chinese political theorist and minister associated with the development of legalism. Unlike most ancient political theorists, Shang Yang denies the possibility of a polit…
Voter Ethics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:29
Alex and Benjamin discuss The Ethics of Voting (Princeton UP, 2011) by Jason Brennan, a contemporary political philosopher with a right-libertarian bent. They explore the consequences of thinking about voting from the st…
Manuel II Palaiologos and Late Byzantine Thought [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:21
Alex and Benjamin dive into the thought of Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos. Ruler of a rump state that increasingly lacked the capacity to defend its territory, Manuel focused on trying to discern the things empe…
Aeschines, Demosthenes, and Athenian Rhetoric [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:50
Alex and Benjamin explore the twilight of Athenian democracy, in which Aeschines and Demosthenes struggle viciously against one another as the Macedonian shadow looms.
Gandhi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:30
Benjamin and Alex discuss Gandhi, the relationship between satyagraha and swaraj, his conceptualization of truth, anarchism, and so much more.
John Duns Scotus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:12
Expelled from France in 1303 after he sided with Pope Boniface VIII in a dispute with King Philip IV, John Duns Scotus advanced a theory of natural law that was much more limited in scope than that of the more famous Tho…
Chrysippus and Early Stoicism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:03
Alex and Benjamin discuss the ideas of Chrysippus, a Stoic philosopher from the 3rd century BC. They explore Chrysippus' account of free will, his distinction between things that are good and "preferred indifferents," an…