Tertullian

Tertullian

Author: Political Theory 101 March 21, 2024 Duration: 1:17:33
Alex and Benjamin discuss the Roman persecution of the Christians - why the Romans did it, how the Christians responded to it, and the ways the experience shaped Christian political thought going forward.

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
Clausewitz (w/Elizabeth Dearden-Williams) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:09
Elizabeth Dearden-Williams, a former student of mine from Cambridge who is currently pursuing a masters, comes on to discuss the work of the Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz.
Cutrone and the Party (w/Chris Cutrone) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:07
Chris Cutrone joins Benjamin for a discussion of political parties, focusing on the role pluralism plays in Chris' thinking about party structure.
Michael Pettis as a Political Theorist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:05
Alex and Benjamin discuss the work of Michael Pettis, putting him in conversation with older theorists of imperialism like J.A. Hobson and Vladimir Lenin.
Samuel Huntington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:38
Alex and Benjamin discuss Huntington's early emphasis on centralization and institutions, his turn toward civilizational thinking, and the position of religion - and particularly Catholicism - in his account.
Frédéric Bastiat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:13
Alex and Benjamin explore the history of political thought from the point of view of Bastiat - who threw many ancient and enlightenment thinkers together into the basket of plunderers. If we think we come from God whole…
Terry Eagleton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:12
Alex and Benjamin discuss Terry Eagleton's work, focusing on interactions between religion and Marxism in the context of the "end of history" - the 1990s and beyond.
Pocock & History in Political Theory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:40
We explore the methodological contributions of the late historian of political thought, John Pocock. We talk about the role of language and context in interpreting texts, distinctions between "history" and "philosophy,"…
Murakami and Political Despair [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:52
Alex and Benjamin explore post-political themes in Haruki Murakami's rat tetralogy.
Habermas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:18
Alex and Benjamin delve into Habermas' notions of the public sphere, legitimacy, and communication. They also discuss postmetaphysical thinking.