This course is intended to provide an overview of European political thought from the French Revolution to the end of the nineteenth century. It is focused around the moral and political challenges posed by the collapse of the ancien regime, the growth of bureaucratically organized nation-states, the rise of modern science, and the economic dominance of capitalism. Among the topics to be addressed are the following: What are the sources of moral and political values? Is there a meaning to human history? What are the rights and duties of citizens? Can private property and economic inequality be justified?
Work in this course will introduce students to some major thinkers in the Western intellectual tradition, enrich the student’s perspective on fundamental problems in political life, and increase the student’s ability to critically evaluate conceptually difficult material.
Students are expected to attend lecture, participate in class discussions, and complete each day’s reading assignment in advance.
