How political philosophy frames government and justice

Political philosophy is the study of the ideas and concepts underlying politics, including forms of government and values that guide political action. The lessons answer how different views understand the state, liberty, and the organization of public life. They trace debates over government, social arrangements, and participation in political decisions.

2 articles, 1 video, 1 book · about 1 hr 39 min of reading and viewing

The reading path

1. Read
   "Political Philosophy: Methodology" · iep.utm.edu · 39 min read

   Political philosophy's "Great Switch," as cultural historian Jacques Barzun notes, shifted political ground towards socialist or social democratic policies under the banner of liberal parties and politics in the late Nineteenth Century. The former sense of liberalism, derived from "liberty," meant freedom and toleration rather than notions of justice and intervention.

2. Read
   

   political philosophy · Wikipedia · 51 min read

   Anarchism challenges the legitimacy of centralized governments wielding coercive power over others because it rejects hierarchical systems in favor of self-governing social structures and a stateless society.

3. Watch
   

   Classical Liberalism #8: What elements make up our idea of justice? | David Schmidtz | Big Think · YouTube · 9 min watch

   David Schmidtz, a philosophy professor at the University of Arizona, says that what people are due in terms of justice depends on context. The video covers elements of justice including equality, returning favors, and the right to air grievances.

4. Book
   

   The Republic · Bookshop.org

   The Republic by Plato addresses education and the roles of women and men as guardians, and describes a harmonious state ruled by philosopher kings.

Book links are Bookshop.org affiliate links. Curiate may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you — Bookshop.org also gives a share to independent bookshops.