We talk about Alexandre Kojève, whose reading of Hegel gave rise to a theory of recognition and of an "end of history". We also discuss Kojève's influence on Francis Fukuyama and on contemporary liberalism.
Murray Edelman & Symbolic Politics
04/02/2026 | 1h 33 mins.
We discuss the work of American political scientist Murray Edelman, whose work on symbolic politics predates later French theory on the "spectacle".
Clarence Streit and International Federalism
27/11/2025 | 1h 41 mins.
We discuss Streit's 1939 proposal for a international federation of democracies to avoid a new world war. We explore the limits of argumentation and the difference between making an argument and doing politics.
Friedrich List and the National System
08/09/2025 | 1h 26 mins.
We discuss Friedrich List's many careers, his struggle for a German customs union, his belief that nationalism would lead to the "uniting of all nations under a common law of right", what happened instead, and why.
Vico and the Concept of the Natural
06/07/2025 | 1h 22 mins.
We discuss Vico's theory of nature, his unorthodox mix of stereotypically ancient and modern approaches, and how his "new science" seems to be going so far.
A podcast about political theory. Freely available to all, but we'd love your support on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/politicaltheory101
Also available on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play
UK