Voter Ethics

Voter Ethics

Author: Political Theory 101 April 3, 2023 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 standpoint of the individual. They talk about "harm reduction," and explore the many reasons it is hard to predict the consequences of elections in a straightforward way.

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
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.
Christian Wolff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:04
Alex and Benjamin talk about 18th century German philosopher Christian Wolff. Wolff suggested that there are reasons behind our motivations. Even a soldier who deserts his post is motivated to desert for a reason. Does t…
Monks in the City [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:38
Alex and Benjamin talk about the explosion of monasteries in late antiquity. As it turns out, withdrawing from politics can be yet another way of trying to do politics.
G.K. Chesterton & G.B. Shaw as Political Theorists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:29
Alex and Benjamin explore a debate G.K. Chesterton and George Bernard Shaw had a century ago concerning political economy, then we dive into their political writings.
Laclau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:50
Alex and Benjamin discuss Laclau's socialist strategy, populism, empty signifiers, and the relationship between Laclau's socialism and Marxism.
Lyotard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:10
Alex and Benjamin discuss Jean-François Lyotard's critique of Marxism, his "evil book," intersections between politics, art, and science, and how Lyotard answered the charge of relativism.
Deleuze & Guattari [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:15
Alex and Benjamin explore the agonistic political thought of Deleuze and Guattari, focusing especially on their ideas about territory, change, and flow.
Althusser & Foucault, Ideology & Power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:46
Alex and Benjamin kick off a series on French political thought in the second half of the 20th century with an episode on ideology and power.
Free Speech with Doug Lain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:40
Alex and Benjamin bring on Doug Lain to talk about free speech in the 21st century. Doug offers his take on why free speech matters, and we discuss the political economy of speech and the role the state and civil society…
Nicole Oresme [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:01
Alex and Benjamin discuss Nicole Oresme, a 14th century French bishop who took an interest in political economy. An advocate for limited monarchy, Oresme argued against the right of king to debase the currency and even t…