POL320Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Authoritarianism, Realpolitik, Geopolitics
Document Summary
Will have an interpretation of french history the french revolution, as they developed through the early 18th century and late 18th century. The themes of liberty and equality as well as the dangers of radical ideas. Montesquieu: persian letters (1781) and spirit of the laws (1748). Work of scathing political commentary and questions of political theory. Troglodyte story is m. commentary on the state of nature and social contract. First week: the causes of the romans and their decline. Second week: important passages of the spirit of the law. His conception of personal liberty (like locke), the american founders read him, the separation of powers. We are developing three competing conceptions of liberty. Looking at a more radical vision of freedom and justice with dowden the first radical. We then move from conceptions of liberty to conceptions of equality. Second semester: more historical readings of the french revolution. When you are reading the texts do not just highlight, take notes.