Political Philosophy

This course is aimed at analyzing the European tradition of political philosophy and its’ impact on the Western political practice. The importance of political theories and values formulated by the major European political thinkers for the development of the modern liberal democracies is demonstrated.

Analyzing the European tradition of political philosophy and its’ impact on the Western political practice.

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1. The Antiquity: Plato, Aristotle, and some Roman Contributions 2. The Early Middle Ages: St. Augustine (and Others) 3. The High and Late Middle Ages: Marsilius of Padua (and Others) 4. The Renaissance: Machiavelli 5. Social Contract: Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau 6. Enlightenment: Montesquieu and Kant 7. 19th Century I: Bentham and Mill 8. 19th Century II: Hegel and Marx 9. Western Marxisms: Lukacs, Gramsci, Laclau 10. The Critical Left: Marcuse, Foucault 11. Conservatives: Schmitt (and Others) 12. Liberals and Libertarians: Berlin, Rawls, Rorty, and Nozick 13. Communitarianism: Walzer, MacIntyre, Taylor 14. Anticipating New Constellations

Analyzed European political philosophy. Analyzed the most important European thinkers. Provided historical context of political theories. Identified the main philosophical questions concerning society and politics. Analyzed philosophical foundations of different political regimes. Identified connections between philosophical ideas and political practice.