
Political Philosophy
A podcast devoted to the history of political thought in the spirit of sharing, not perfection. Explanation and discussion of classic and contemporary political ideas. YouTube: YouTube.com/politicalphilosophy
Latest episodes

Apr 19, 2025 • 21min
Are Checks and Balances Necessary in the US Constitution? (Federalist 51, Part 1)
The American founders were concerned about one branch of government becoming too powerful and trampling on the freedoms of Americans by suppressing the other branches’ freedom. Here Madison or Hamilton (which one is not clear) discusses how the new constitution tries to reduce the chances of this happening through separation of powers and checks and balances.
Get Laurie’s book, The Gap in God’s Country, at most bookstores in paperback and hardcover.
Laurie’s book on Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8
The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org
Support the Maurin Academy on Patreon: patreon.com/maurinacademy
Political Philosophy Podcast: https://political-philosophy.com
Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms!
Follow the Maurin Academy on Twitter and Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

Mar 29, 2025 • 21min
Madison Would Be Surprised — and Disappointed (Federalist 10, Part 4)
James Madison tried hard to faction-proof the US Constitution, but he did not anticipate the effects of instant media and the massification of modern populations.
Get Laurie’s book, The Gap in God’s Country, at most bookstores in paperback and hardcover.
Laurie’s book on Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8
The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org Support the Maurin Academy on Patreon: patreon.com/maurinacademy
Political Philosophy Podcast: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms!
Follow the Maurin Academy on Twitter and Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

Mar 29, 2025 • 29min
Did Madison Foresee the Demise of Democracy? (Federalist 10, Part 3)
Madison devoted the majority of Federalist paper #10 to the dangers of a violent majority faction and corrupt demagogues. In this part of the paper, we see Madison hoping that a large republic will prevent such a faction from existing, or if it exists, will blunt its ability to tyrannize over the rest of the citizens.
Get Laurie’s book, The Gap in God’s Country at most bookstores in paperback and hardcover.
Laurie’s book on Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8
The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org Support the Maurin Academy on Patreon: patreon.com/maurinacademy
Political Philosophy Podcast: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms!
Follow the Maurin Academy on Twitter and Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

Mar 14, 2025 • 23min
James Madison Warns Against Violent Majority Factions & Demagogues (Federalist 10, Part 2)
Laurie continues her series of Federalist 10 and 51. This is the second video on Federalist 10, heading into how to handle the effects of a violent faction of the majority, and the threat of demagogues.
Get Laurie’s book, The Gap in God’s Country at most bookstores in paperback and hardcover.
Laurie’s book on Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8
The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org
Support the Maurin Academy on Patreon: patreon.com/maurinacademy
Political Philosophy Podcast: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms!
Follow the Maurin Academy on Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

Mar 9, 2025 • 19min
New Dialectic of Enlightenment Reading Group Starting March 19, 2025
You can find out more about this reading group and the ways to join here: https://pmaurin.org/reading-dialectic-of-enlightenment-with-jakob-hanschu/ Support us on Patreon at any level and get in on Jakob’s reading group and more: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy
Political Philosophy Podcast: https://political-philosophy.com
Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms!
Follow the Maurin Academy on Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

Mar 9, 2025 • 25min
Federalist 10 Deciphered: Madison on the Dangers of Factions and the Separation of Powers (Part 1)
Laurie begins a short series on Federalist 10 and 51, untangling the antiquated language of these important writings by the American founders having to do with important constitutional principles such as the separation of powers and checks and balances. She starts with Federalist 10 and the question of how to stop violent factions from overtaking a liberal democracy.
Get Laurie’s book, The Gap in God’s Country at most bookstores in paperback and hardcover.
Laurie’s book on Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8
The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org
Support the Maurin Academy on Patreon: patreon.com/maurinacademy
Political Philosophy Podcast: https://political-philosophy.com
Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms!
Follow the Maurin Academy on Twitter and Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

Mar 1, 2025 • 41min
What Did Plato Say About Democracy and Demagogues?
Laurie discusses Plato’s view of democracy–its strengths and weaknesses, particularly its vulnerability to demagogues–and what he thought about other types of regimes. Pardon the reverberation on this recording!
Get Laurie’s book, The Gap in God’s Country. Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8
The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org
Support the Maurin Academy on Patreon: patreon.com/maurinacademy
Political Philosophy Podcast: https://political-philosophy.com
Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms!
Follow the Maurin Academy on Twitter and Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

Feb 23, 2025 • 24min
HUMBLE IS What We Need – Sit Down!
You’re lucky Laurie isn’t ending that sentence the way Kendrick does.
Get Laurie’s book, The Gap in God’s Country in hardcover, paperback and kindle/e-edition. Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8
The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org Support the Maurin Academy on Patreon: patreon.com/maurinacademy

Feb 12, 2025 • 19min
Coming Up: The Maurin Academy Speaker Series and Beyond
Laurie discusses some plans for guest speakers, her new Great Books reading group, and plans for the channel.
Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy
Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669
Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com
Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms!
Follow the Maurin Academy on Instagram and Facebook for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

Jan 26, 2025 • 17min
Direct Action vs. Liberal Charity (Gap in God’s Country Segment from Session5 )
Dr. Laurie M. Johnson discussing themes from her new book, subtitled A Longer View On Our Culture Wars, focusing on solving political disputes. This session dealt with direct action vs. the charity model.
Get the book: https://a.co/d/9sJwfDe
Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8
The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org
Support the Maurin Academy on Patreon: patreon.com/maurinacademy
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