Political Theory 101

Michael Downs joins Benjamin to discuss the political thought of Nick Land, its relationship to the work of Deleuze and Guattari, and the degree to which it has influenced the contemporary left and right.

We discuss how Plato used dialectical thinking to deal with objections to the theory of the forms. Then we discuss how this kind of thinking enriches our ability to make use of all sorts of political concepts and abstractions.

We discuss the work of John Morley, a British viscount heavily involved in the government of Ireland and India during the late 19th and early 20th century. Morley was a liberal, but he was often in situations in which his liberalism was pushed to its limit. We discuss how he thought about liberty as a young man, and how he worked to put his beliefs into practice in difficult circumstances.

Daniel joins Benjamin to discuss Plato's Philebus. We traverse the dialectic of limit and unlimit and discuss the difference between memory and recollection, connecting all of this to Plato's political thought.

Elizabeth Dearden-Williams, a Cambridge graduate pursuing her master's, dives into the fascinating world of Carl von Clausewitz. They tackle the intricate relationship between war and politics, using insights from contemporary conflicts like Ukraine. The conversation highlights how public opinion shapes military actions and the challenges of unity in diverse societies facing existential threats. They also explore historical military theories impacting modern American foreign policy and analyze the Cuban Missile Crisis through a game theory lens, revealing the unpredictable nature of strategy.

Chris Cutrone, a scholar at the Art Institute of Chicago and founder of the Platypus Affiliated Society, delves into the intricacies of political parties, urging a re-evaluation of their roles in society. He discusses the evolution of America's two-party system and the pressing need for a labor party to connect social action with political goals. Cutrone also critiques how academia restricts intellectual engagement and highlights the historical importance of socialist ideals in uniting labor movements, all while emphasizing innovative approaches in political activism and the evolving landscape of media.

John Milton isn't just the author of Paradise Lost! Raeffe Gibson makes a guest appearance to discuss his role in the English Civil War.

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.

The discussion covers Samuel Huntington's influential views on political theory, exploring his emphasis on centralization and institutions. It dives into civilizational thinking and the complex role of religion, particularly Catholicism, in shaping political orders. The analysis of cultural and religious identities reveals how they influence democracy and agency in global politics. The dialogue also addresses economic disparities in conflicts, the interplay of culture with governance, and the dynamic relationship between Japan and the West, highlighting cultural integration and distinctiveness.

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 and complete, the need for civic education falls away...