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Ian Shapiro
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
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What's inside
Syllabus
Welcome to Moral Foundations of Politics
Welcome to the course. Meet your instructor and learn about the structure of the course and what makes it distinctive.
Read more
Syllabus
Welcome to Moral Foundations of Politics
Welcome to the course. Meet your instructor and learn about the structure of the course and what makes it distinctive.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Examines Enlightenment and Anti-Enlightenment political theories and ideologies, which are foundational in contemporary political discourse
Develops a comprehensive understanding of utilitarianism, Marxism, and the social contract tradition, providing a strong foundation in Western political thought
Provides contemporary perspectives on classical political theories, demonstrating their relevance to modern issues and debates
Engages with practical implications of political theories, applying them to current issues such as economic inequality and global environmental concerns
Taught by Ian Shapiro, a renowned professor of political science, ensuring high-quality instruction and insights
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Reviews summary
Moral foundations of politics
According to learners, this course offers a brilliant and accessible exploration of the moral foundations of politics, led by an exceptional instructor. Students frequently highlight the clarity and engagement of the lectures by Professor Shapiro, noting his ability to make complex philosophical concepts understandable. The course is praised for effectively linking historical political theories (Utilitarianism, Marxism, Social Contract) to relevant contemporary issues. While the assigned readings can be dense and require significant effort, many find the course intellectually stimulating and highly rewarding, providing a strong foundational understanding of key political philosophies.
Provides a solid base in political theory.
"Provides a solid foundation in Enlightenment political theory."
"I feel like I have a much better grasp on key political philosophies after taking this course."
"A great introductory course for anyone interested in understanding the roots of political thought."
"It builds a strong base for further study in political science or philosophy."
Deep dive into complex political theories.
"This course is intellectually challenging and deeply rewarding. It made me think in new ways."
"A stimulating exploration of major political philosophies. It requires deep engagement but it is worth it."
"I found the material challenging yet fascinating, pushing me to think critically about political ideas."
"It's not easy, but if you're looking for a rigorous introduction to political philosophy, this is it."
Connects historical theory to modern issues.
"Excellent connection between classical theories and contemporary political problems..."
"I loved how the course applied historical philosophical ideas to current issues like economic inequality and free speech."
"It helped me understand how these foundational ideas still shape modern political debates."
"The relevance to today's politics made the historical theories much more meaningful."
Professor Shapiro makes complex ideas clear.
"Professor Shapiro is brilliant, clear and engaging. He makes complex ideas like utilitarianism understandable."
"The lectures were fantastic. Professor Shapiro explains complex concepts lucidly and makes the material come alive."
"His lectures were easy to follow and engaging, truly the highlight of the course for me."
"I really appreciated how well the professor explained dense philosophical concepts."
Readings are dense and pace can be fast.
"The readings can be quite dense at times and require careful attention and re-reading..."
"Sometimes the pace feels a bit fast, especially when covering complex figures like Marx."
"I needed to dedicate significant time to the readings to keep up with the lecture content."
"It's challenging material, but that's part of the nature of studying political philosophy."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Moral Foundations of Politics with these
activities:
Recall key political theories
Show steps
Reviewing key political theories will help you recall concepts essential for understanding the course material.
Browse courses on
Utilitarianism
Show steps
-
Read through notes
-
Practice using definitions
-
Create flashcards
Read On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
Show steps
Reading On Liberty will supplement the course material on classical utilitarianism and provide insights into the nature of individual liberty and the limits of state power.
Show steps
-
Read the book, taking notes
-
Summarize key arguments
-
Discuss the book with others
Write a policy memo on a current political issue
Show steps
Writing a policy memo will require you to apply course concepts to a real-world problem and will help you to develop your analytical and communication skills.
Browse courses on
Economic Inequality
Show steps
-
Research the issue
-
Develop policy recommendations
-
Write the memo
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Develop your own political theory
Show steps
Developing your own political theory will require you to grapple with the complex issues raised in the course and will help you to refine your own understanding of politics.
Browse courses on
Utilitarianism
Show steps
-
Research theories covered in the course
-
Identify strengths and weaknesses
-
Propose your own political theory
Contribute to an open source project on a related topic
Show steps
Contributing to an open source project will give you hands-on experience with the practical applications of course concepts.
Browse courses on
Democracy
Show steps
-
Find an open source project that is relevant to the course material
-
Join the project and start contributing
-
Collaborate with other developers
Recall key political theories
Show steps
Reviewing key political theories will help you recall concepts essential for understanding the course material.
Browse courses on
Utilitarianism
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read through notes
- Practice using definitions
- Create flashcards
Read On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
Show steps
Reading On Liberty will supplement the course material on classical utilitarianism and provide insights into the nature of individual liberty and the limits of state power.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book, taking notes
- Summarize key arguments
- Discuss the book with others
Write a policy memo on a current political issue
Show steps
Writing a policy memo will require you to apply course concepts to a real-world problem and will help you to develop your analytical and communication skills.
Browse courses on
Economic Inequality
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research the issue
- Develop policy recommendations
- Write the memo
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Develop your own political theory
Show steps
Developing your own political theory will require you to grapple with the complex issues raised in the course and will help you to refine your own understanding of politics.
Browse courses on
Utilitarianism
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research theories covered in the course
- Identify strengths and weaknesses
- Propose your own political theory
Contribute to an open source project on a related topic
Show steps
Contributing to an open source project will give you hands-on experience with the practical applications of course concepts.
Browse courses on
Democracy
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find an open source project that is relevant to the course material
- Join the project and start contributing
- Collaborate with other developers
Career center
Learners who complete Moral Foundations of Politics will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Political Scientist
Political Scientist
Political Scientists study political systems and behavior. Moral Foundations of Politics may be very useful for Political Scientists, as the course explores the core concepts and theories of political science in depth.
Legislator
Legislator
Legislators create and vote on laws. Moral Foundations of Politics may be very useful for Legislators, as it provides a comprehensive overview of political theories and their implications for policymaking.
Human Rights Advocate
Human Rights Advocate
Human Rights Advocates work to protect and promote human rights. Moral Foundations of Politics may be very useful for Human Rights Advocates, as the course explores the philosophical and ethical foundations of human rights and their application in the political arena.
Educator
Educator
Educators teach and support students in their academic and personal development. Moral Foundations of Politics may be very useful for Educators teaching social studies or political science, as the course provides a comprehensive overview of political theories and their implications for education.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Policy Analysts as it provides a foundation in ethical and political principles that can help inform policy analysis and recommendations.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Public Relations Specialists working in the political or public affairs sectors, as the course provides insights into the ethical and political dimensions of public relations.
Community Organizer
Community Organizer
Community Organizers work to empower communities to address social and economic issues. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Community Organizers, as the course explores the ethical and political dimensions of community organizing and social change.
Researcher
Researcher
Researchers conduct research on a variety of topics, including social, political, and economic issues. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Researchers working in fields such as political science, sociology, or public policy, as the course provides a solid foundation in political theory and research methods.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations and programs of nonprofit organizations. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Nonprofit Managers working in areas such as social justice or advocacy, as the course explores the ethical and philosophical foundations of political action.
Writer
Writer
Writers create content for a variety of purposes, including journalism, fiction, and nonfiction. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Writers covering political topics, as the course provides a deep understanding of political ideologies and their influence on society.
Lawyer
Lawyer
Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. Moral Foundations of Politics may be particularly useful for Lawyers working in fields such as constitutional law or public interest law, as the course explores the philosophical foundations of government legitimacy and the limits of state power.
Journalist
Journalist
Journalists report on news and current events. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Journalists covering political topics, as the course provides a solid understanding of political ideologies and their influence on policy and public opinion.
Lobbyist
Lobbyist
Lobbyists represent the interests of organizations or individuals before government officials. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Lobbyists as it provides an understanding of the political process and the role of ethics in lobbying.
Social Worker
Social Worker
Social Workers provide support and assistance to individuals and families facing social and economic challenges. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for Social Workers working in areas such as policy advocacy or community organizing, as the course explores the ethical and political dimensions of social welfare.
Political Consultant
Political Consultant
Political Consultants develop and implement political strategies for candidates, political parties, and interest groups. Moral Foundations of Politics may be useful for a Political Consultant because the course discusses various political theories and their contemporary debates, which can help build a foundation for understanding political strategies and decision-making.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/afr4ge/moral
Reading list
We've selected 15 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Moral Foundations of Politics .
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the major political theories of the Western tradition. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the history of political thought and the different ways of thinking about political problems.
Save
Explores the major theories of justice and their implications for public policy. It thought-provoking read that will challenge students to think critically about the ethical dimensions of political decision-making.
Classic work on the theory and practice of democracy. It provides a clear and concise overview of the different arguments for and against democracy, and it offers a valuable perspective on the challenges facing democratic societies today.
Argues that the world is entering a new era of conflict between different civilizations. It controversial but influential work that has helped to shape the debate about global politics.
Argues that the end of the Cold War marks the end of history as we know it. It provocative and thought-provoking work that has sparked a great deal of debate about the future of humanity.
This classic work of political philosophy argues that the state is necessary to protect us from the dangers of anarchy. It powerful and influential work that has had a profound impact on Western political thought.
This classic work of political philosophy argues that the state is based on the consent of the governed. It foundational work of liberal thought that has had a major impact on the development of democratic institutions.
Save
This classic work of political philosophy argues that the state is based on a social contract between the people and the government. It powerful and influential work that has inspired many revolutions and social movements.
Save
This classic work of Marxist literary theory explores the relationship between language and ideology. It challenging but rewarding read that will help students to understand the role of language in shaping our political and social world.
This classic work of philosophy of science argues that it is impossible to predict the future course of history. It challenging but important read that will help students to understand the limits of our knowledge and the dangers of utopian thinking.
This classic work of philosophy of science argues that scientific progress occurs through a series of revolutions. It challenging but important read that will help students to understand the nature of scientific knowledge and the process of scientific discovery.
This classic work of moral philosophy explores the nature of virtue and the good life. It challenging but rewarding read that will help students to understand the foundations of Western ethical thought.
Save
This classic work of moral philosophy argues that the right action is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. It challenging but important read that will help students to understand the foundations of utilitarianism.
Save
This classic work of moral and political philosophy develops a theory of justice based on the idea of a social contract. It challenging but important read that will help students to understand the foundations of Rawlsian liberalism.
Save
Develops a theory of social justice that is based on the idea of democratic equality. It challenging but important read that will help students to understand the relationship between democracy and social justice.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/afr4ge/moral
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Effort
8 weeks of study, 12-15 hours/week
Via
Coursera
Institution
Yale University
Instructor
Ian Shapiro
Language
English
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