

The Political Theory Review
Jeffrey Church
Conversations with scholars on recent books in Political Theory and Social and Political Philosophy.This podcast is not affiliated with the University of Wisconsin, and no opinions expressed on this podcast are that of the University of Wisconsin. Image: Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), After a model by Jean Antoine Houdon (French, Versailles 1741–1828 Paris), in the public domain courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of ArtHost contact: Jeffrey Church, jchurch4@wisc.edu
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 18, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 193: Raissa von Doetinchem de Rande - The Politics of Islamic Ethics
A conversation with Raissa von Doetinchem de Rande about her recent book, "The Politics of Islamic Ethics: Hierarchy and Human Nature in the Philosophical Tradition" (Cambridge UP).

Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 11min
Episode 192: John McCormick - The People's Princes
A conversation with John McCormick about his recent book, "The People's Princes: Machiavelli, Leadership, and Liberty" (U of Chicago Press).

Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 12min
Episode 191: John Harpham - The Intellectual Origins of American Slavery
A conversation with John Harpham about his recent book, "The Intellectual Origins of American Slavery: English Ideas in the Early Modern Atlantic World" (Harvard UP).

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 4min
Episode 190: Alex Zakaras - Freedom for All
A conversation with Alex Zakaras about his recent book "Freedom for All: What a Liberal Society Could Be" (Yale UP).

Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 7min
Episode 189: Roxanne Euben - Driven to Their Knees
A conversation with Roxanne Euben about her recent book, "Driven to their Knees: Humiliation in Contemporary Politics" (Princeton UP).

Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 1min
Episode 188: Lisa Herzog - The Democratic Marketplace
A conversation with Lisa Herzog about her recent book "The Democratic Marketplace: How a More Equal Economy Can Save Our Political Ideals" (Harvard UP).

Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 7min
Episode 187: Douglas Moggach - Freedom and Perfection
A conversation with Douglas Moggach about his recent book "Freedom and Perfection: German Political Thought from Leibniz to Marx" (Cambridge UP).

Sep 11, 2025 • 37min
Episode 186: William Galston - Anger, Fear, Domination
William Galston, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of 'Anger, Fear, Domination,' delves into the emotional undercurrents affecting liberal democracy. He discusses how anger and fear can threaten democratic values, emphasizing the need for understanding and compromise. Galston highlights the power of rhetoric to combat dark emotions in politics and advocates for persuasive speech as essential in defending democracy. Historical examples illustrate the pitfalls of allowing resentment to shape political dynamics.

Sep 10, 2025 • 50min
Episode 185: Cass Sunstein - On Liberalism
Cass Sunstein, a Harvard University professor and author of 'On Liberalism: In Defense of Freedom,' discusses the complexities of liberal thought. He examines diverse interpretations, critiques from both the left and right, and the intersection of freedom and community beliefs. Sunstein shares historical insights and personal anecdotes, highlighting the delicate balance between individual agency and societal norms. He also addresses the future of liberalism, focusing on its resilience amid contemporary challenges and the necessity for inclusive discourse.

Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 21min
Episode 184: John Christman - Reconceiving Freedom from the Shadows of Slavery
A conversation with John Christman about his recent book, "Reconceiving Liberty from the Shadows of Slavery: Liberty in a Nonideal World" (Cambridge UP)


