Concepts of Equality

Concepts of Equality

Author: Political Theory 101 March 7, 2021 Duration: 1:54:14
Edmund and Benjamin discuss the very different ways equality can be understood, including different units of comparison, currencies of justice, and distributive principles. They also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of equality as a radical paradigm.

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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 96

Political Theory 101
Podcast Episodes
Aquinas and De Regno [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:27
Alex and Benjamin read Thomas Aquinas' De Regno, focusing on what Aquinas does with Aristotle's regime typology.
Iamblichus and the Politics of Theurgy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:13
Alex and Benjamin talk about Iamblichus, and the strand of neo-Platonism that gets interested in theurgy. They compare Iamblichus with Plotinus. Is part of the soul in the realm of the intelligibles, or has all of it des…
James Harrington with Edmund Wilson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:51
Edmund Wilson joins Alex and Benjamin to discuss James Harrington. They compare Harrington with Hobbes, discuss Harrington's influence on Marxism, and think about how Harrington is positioned in various accounts of the h…
Marsilius of Padua [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:34
Alex and Benjamin discuss Marsilius of Padua's argument for the supremacy of the Holy Roman Emperor over the church. They get into the Fraticelli, disputes about whether priests can own property, and ideas of imperial co…
Skinner and the State [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:50
Alex and Benjamin discuss a couple Quentin Skinner lectures, focusing mainly on his genealogies of the state and liberty.
Dante's De Monarchia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:19
Alex and Benjamin discuss Dante's political thought. They delve into divine right of kings theory, comparing it with other monarchical legitimation stories. There's Pope Boniface VIII, the Byzantines, and more.
Plato's Timaeus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:36
In Alex's inaugural episode, we discuss the Timaeus and the relationship between Plato's metaphysics and his politics.
G.A. Cohen and the September Group [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:01
In Edmund's farewell episode, we discuss the September Group, including G.A. Cohen, Jon Elster, and Philippe Van Parijs. We discuss theories of history, the influence of Darwinian evolution on Marx, the differences betwe…
Alexis de Tocqueville [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:57
Edmund and Benjamin discuss Tocqueville. They discuss his thoughts on both America and France, his contributions on civic education, civil society, equality, liberty, and so much more.
The Concept of Representation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:08
Andrew Osipov joins Benjamin and Edmund to discuss his thesis on the concept of representation. They discuss the many ways representation has been understood in recent decades.