Reading Political Philosophy: From Machiavelli to Mill - Audio

An introduction to this album.

An in-depth discussion of Machiavelli’s The Prince, including its social, historical and moral context and the book’s continuing relevance to contemporary political thought.

Concentrating on the masterpiece Leviathan, Hobbes’ political and social doctrine is defined and considered, along with Hobbes’ thought on the viability of monarchy.

A wide-ranging discussion of Locke using the Second Treatise as a starting point. Locke’s relationship to liberalism and modern liberal theory is analysed, as well as his relationship to the ‘state of nature’ debate.

Rousseau and his opinions on liberty are discussed with particular reference to his seminal 1755 text Discourse on Inequality. A wide number of topics including sovereignty, legislators and social choice, is broached.