Catherine Rowett (East Anglia): Why the Philosopher Kings Will Believe the Noble Lie. Mortimer Newlin Stead Sellers (Baltimore): Niccolo Machiavelli: Father of Modern Constitutionalism. Most familiar today as the godfather of Realpolitik and as the eponym for all things cunning and devious, the Renaissance thinker Niccolo Machiavelli also had a lighter side, writing as he did a number of comedies. Was John Locke really a liberal? He opposed wars of conquest, but not on dubious moral grounds. The introduction to Empire and Revolution: The Political Life of Edmund Burke by Richard Bourke. Did Rousseau have ADHD? Rousseau’s non-linear style of thought, restless spirit and chaotic mood swings also made him one of history’s greats. Hugo Drochon (Cambridge): Nietzsche Theorist of the State? The introduction to Nietzsche’s Great Politics by Hugo Drochon. Samantha Rose Hill on studying the history of political theory with Hannah Arendt.
Oxford University Press celebrates Thomas Hobbes as the “philosopher of the month”, with free chapters and articles online.
