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Moral Foundations of Politics

When do governments deserve our allegiance, and when should they be denied it? This course explores the main answers that have been given to this question in the modern West. We start with a survey of the major political theories of the Enlightenment: Utilitarianism, Marxism, and the social contract tradition. In each case, we begin with a look at classical formulations, locating them in historical context, but then shift to the contemporary debates as they relate to politics today. Next, we turn to the rejection of Enlightenment political thinking, again exploring both classical and contemporary formulations. The last part of the course deals with the nature of, and justifications for, democratic politics, and their relations to Enlightenment and Anti-Enlightenment political thinking. In addition to exploring theoretical differences among the various authors discussed, considerable attention is devoted to the practical implications of their competing arguments. To this end, we discuss a variety of concrete problems, including debates about economic inequality, affirmative action and the distribution of health care, the limits of state power in the regulation of speech and religion, and difficulties raised by the emerging threat of global environmental decay.

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Rating 4.8 based on 350 ratings
Length 9 weeks
Effort 8 weeks of study, 12-15 hours/week
Starts Jul 17 (40 weeks ago)
Cost $49
From Yale University via Coursera
Instructor Ian Shapiro
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Social Sciences Art & Design Humanities
Tags Social Sciences Governance And Society Arts And Humanities Philosophy

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What people are saying

two students

Also, the method of including the two students in the lectures made the online process more organic.

The two students have asked a number of questions which I have thought about, while listening to the lectures.

The lecture format of the course with two students have made it very pleasant to follow the content, at least for me.

The course structure, in which each lecture is given to two students, allows for a welcome give-and-take on each concept.

I especially liked the question and answer sessions with the two students.

The format of using dialog with two students is novel and very effective.

The material was very interesting and I felt that the lecture format of Professor Shapiro discussing the material with two students allowed for a more comprehensive exploration of the ideas presented than a standard lecture might have.

I also like how the course is presented with the dialogues between the professor and two students which remind me of Plato's Dialogues, full of dynamics and wisdom through the questions and answers.

Many thanks to Professor Ian Shapiro, the two students in the video, and coursera.

During the course, the professor raised many questions in order to guide the two students towards the established conclusion as well as who are watching and listening to him in front of their screen, so that we have a sort of interaction.

What was surprising was that, even within the limits of a MOOC, the course was able to cover a lot of topics and to the depths that I didn't think was possible!The discussions with the two students, that simulated a classroom environment was also a commendable effort.

I could identify myself sitting in the class with those two students.

I think the model of having the two students to query works well to make us stop and think about how we might answer the question and to reflect on the logic.

The format of the course, in which Professor Shapiro interacts with two students, is superb.

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ian shapiro

Ian Shapiro is a master of his specialty and clearly explains all of his ideas.However, I did have to work through the course very slowly, taking it several times, and taking several hundred pages of notes (because I wanted to, and it helped me remember the ideas).

I feel so privileged to have been in Ian Shapiro's internet class.

Prof. Ian Shapiro's lectureres have good information and most helpful.

Dr Ian Shapiro's class provided me with an opportunity to understand the important concepts that influence politics today.

Ian Shapiro is amazing!

excellant work dont by Dr Ian Shapiro and staff on putting such a mind turning,thought provoking MOOC on a complex and ever controversial subject known as POLITICS!..I hope to see more from them soon Opened a new field of knowledge for me.

Ian Shapiro is an amazing teacher.

its very good productive course That is an excellent Ian Shapiro is very detailed in his lecturing of political theory.

Thanks to the teacher Ian Shapiro and all that made it possible.

Kudos to Professor Ian Shapiro, his explanations were thorough and very easy to understand.

The way Sir Ian Shapiro elaborates is fascinating.

En un formato accesible, amigable y de suma flexibilidad, profesor Ian Shapiro nos enseña a través de material audiovisual y diversas lecturas los alcances teóricos, así como las implicancias actuales de estas corrientes políticas sobre algunos de los principales desafíos que deben enfrentar las sociedades contemporáneas.

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highly recommend

I highly recommend it to everyone and I am grateful it was available online.

Highly recommended!

I would highly recommend t Ian Shapiro is a true master of the subject.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in politics, political philosophy or political science.

I highly recommend it!

I learned, loved and highly recommend taking this course.

Highly recommended.

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prof. shapiro

The cases and examples Prof. Shapiro brings are almost always interesting and challenging and it really fascinated me to find how much philosophical history and debate there is behind seemingly simple things and mainstream ideas.

Getting through the first couple lectures gets you hooked on the sharp insights of Prof. Shapiro and takes you though the intricacies of politics, economics and justice.

Prof. Shapiro, thanks a lot for a very clear communication, very good structure and perfect lessions.

Prof. Shapiro has done a great job - clear explanations with a lot of examples.

Absolutely brilliant course and Prof. Shapiro really helps me understand important aspects of politics, morality and influential ideologies from first principles.

It is a pleasure to see the way Prof. Shapiro connect the different ideas in this course.

Prof. Shapiro is a great lecturer.

Would really enjoy other MOOCs by Prof. Shapiro This was a phenomenal course that really motivated me to understand the moral foundations of arguments and systems of politics.

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enjoyed this course

I enjoyed this course.

I very much enjoyed this course.

I was a little apprehensive about taking this course because I feared I will not understand much but the way Professor Shapiro teaches, I have barely enjoyed studying the way I have enjoyed this course, the fact that I am finishing this course a month in advance is a testament to it.Cheers!

Really enjoyed this course, although it was like a whistle-stop tour of political philosophy.

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political science

I would really recommend it for all interested in a broad introduction to the basis of Political Sciences, Economics or Philosophy.

Professor Shapiro shares his erudition in lucid and engaging lectures and through conversation with two sharp political science students and a superb graduate teaching assistant.

The course has made me fall in love with Political Science.

The Course (Moral Foundations of Politics ) is an important subject for Politicains and the students of Political science.

I think this course serves as a good foundation of moral philosophy and political science.

I have no prior knowledge of political science and I just took this course to have an idea about politics.

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best courses

One of the best courses in this plataform I found this to be one of the most useful courses I've ever taken in my entire life.

It is one of the best courses.

very interesting and an interactive course Almost without exception, the best courses of my life have been those that were built by an extremely knowledgeable professor bringing in diverse and original sources of material and organizing them in a unique way.

One of the best courses I registered to :) Excellent Course , Phenomenal exposure to Contemporary Debates and theories !

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for making

Thank you, Professor Shapiro, as well as Yale and Coursera for making the course available to everybody.

Thank you Coursera and Professor Sharpino for making this possible!

My thanks to the students as well for making this a memorable course.

Thank you, all, for making this class available.

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yale university

This was an excellent course taught by a native South African of Jewish decent who heads up an international center at Yale University with a name something like International Comparative Government and Democracy.

Thank a lot for this course to Coursera and Yale University!

Thank you Yale University and Coursera I found this course fascinating.

I hope to learn a lot in the coming weeks Excelente curso, muy completo impressive Curso impartido por Coursera conjuntamente con una de las casas de estudio más reconocidas del mundo: Yale University.

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Rating 4.8 based on 350 ratings
Length 9 weeks
Effort 8 weeks of study, 12-15 hours/week
Starts Jul 17 (40 weeks ago)
Cost $49
From Yale University via Coursera
Instructor Ian Shapiro
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Social Sciences Art & Design Humanities
Tags Social Sciences Governance And Society Arts And Humanities Philosophy

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