Leviathanis a vigorous defense of a strong central government that was originally published in 1651, just after the English wars of 1642-49. This presentation explores the social and political turmoil during whichLeviathanwas written, including an examination of the radical political philosophies spawned by opposition to Stuart monarchy in England. It explains the materialistic foundation of Hobbes’ philosophy and how this influenced his theory of man, society, and government. Special attention is paid to Hobbes’ theory of the “state of nature,” the social contract, and the governmental sovereignty. The right of resistance against unjust laws and the right to liberty of conscience also are discussed.

A comprehensive work,Leviathandiscusses many areas of philosophy and religion and is widely acknowledged as a masterpiece of political thought.

The Giants of Political Thought Series offers an easy and entertaining way to broaden your mind and your awareness of great ideas.

In 1773, Britain was the greatest power on earth, but the Seven Years War with France had doubled her national debt. To ease this burden, Britain made a fateful blunder: to impose special taxes upon the American colonies. On April 17, 1775, British and American Forces first clashed at the Battle of Lexington. The war continued for seven years, complicated by the fact that some Americans wished to remain British subjects. The colonies won their independence, but their conflicts with Britain were not over.

The United States at War Series is a collection of presentations that review the political, economic, and social forces that have erupted in military conflict. They describe the historical context for each of the major US wars and examine how military conflict resolved or failed to resolve the forces that caused the war.

In 1776, the thirteen American colonies, refusing to pay unjust taxes, declared their independence from Britain. The resulting years of war are called the American Revolution, but many founding fathers believed the real American Revolution was not the war with Britain but the revolution in ideas which preceded and caused the war. From 1760 to 1775, in the course of fifteen years, many Americans were transformed from loyal subjects into rebels against Britain. Together, the thirteen colonies set out to create something new under the sun, a government which derived its just authority from the consent of the governed.

To understand this unparalleled event, it is necessary to examine the character and ideas of eighteenth-century Americans, such as what vision caused them to rebel and how faithfully they followed this vision.

The United States at War Series is a collection of presentations that review the political, economic, and social forces that have erupted in military conflict. They describe the historical context for each of the major US wars and examine how military conflict resolved or failed to resolve the forces that caused the war.

In 1783, America emerged from a long and bitter war for Independence. The thirteen colonies were now thirteen sovereign states, bound together by the Articles of Confederation. After years of war, men like Thomas Jefferson saw the possibility of something new under the sun: a government which derived its just power from the consent of those governed. But the Continental Congress was bankrupt from the war, and many of the thirteen states refused to contribute money or to cooperate with each other.

In May 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia to attend a convention. After more than three months of passionate debate, conflict, and compromise, the United States Constitution was passed, establishing a national government. But to become the law of the land, the Constitution had to be independently ratified by at least nine of the thirteen states.

The US Constitution was approved by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. It was to become law only if it was ratified by nine of the thirteen states. New York was a key state, but it contained strong forces opposing the Constitution. A series of eighty-five letters appeared in New York City newspapers between October 1787 and August 1788 urging support for the Constitution. These letters remain the first and most authoritative commentary on the American concept of federal government.

Later known asThe Federalist Papers, they were published under the pseudonym ‘Publius,’ although written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. This presentation explores the major arguments contained inThe Federalist Papersand contrasts them with the views of the Anti-Federalists.

Machiavelli wrote The Prince for his ruler as a guide for gaining and keeping power. Central themes of his essay are the relation between politics and ethics, what the best form of government consists of; the importance of the Church, and the growth of Italy as a nation-state. The word “Machiavellian” often suggests sinister motives, but some scholars question this traditional interpretation.

Bo+(r)tie wrote Discourse on Voluntary Servitude in sixteenth-century France during the birth of the nation-state, the rise of absolute monarchy, and intense religious and civil wars. He examines the psychology of political obedience, the structure and specific mechanisms of state authority, the motives of those who obey and those who command, and the phenomenon of obedience in the absence of force.

The Giants of Political Thought series is an easy and entertaining way to broaden your mind and your awareness of great ideas.

The United States Constitution established both a strong central power and protected states’ rights. But to say that something is of two parts is not to say that the parts are equal. Advocates of state sovereignty believed the Constitution created an executive power that was so strong it might as well have been a monarchy, while advocates of national government felt that a strong executive was essential to steer America through crisis. Between these two positions, the living body of the Constitution was sculpted.

Over and over, the delegates to the Philadelphia Convention clashed and compromised. Slavery, a bill of rights, legislative representation–all the battles over these issues are enshrined in the language of the Constitution. To fully appreciate the Constitution, it is necessary to understand the questions it sought to resolve.

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An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nationsis the foundation of classical economics, and it has influenced a broad range of thinkers. In it, Adam Smith stresses the importance of the division of labor to economic progress. He criticizes the arguments for economic planning and offers a detailed theoretical and historical case for free trade.Far more than just a work on economic theory,The Wealth of Nationsalso contains Smith’s views on philosophy, history, and political theory.

This program discusses Smith’s general approach to philosophy and howThe Wealth of Nationsfits into that approach. It then goes on to cover Smith’smajor themes in thislengthy and complex book. Smith’s sometimes difficult discourse is presented with the background information necessary for its comprehension.

The Giants of Political Thought series is an easy and entertaining way to broaden your mind and your awareness of great ideas.