Listen free for 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Modern Political Tradition: Hobbes to Habermas cover art

The Modern Political Tradition: Hobbes to Habermas

Written by: Lawrence Cahoone, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Lawrence Cahoone
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $52.57

Buy Now for $52.57

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Without even realizing it, we all use the fruits of political philosophy. From liberty to democracy to community, the terms and concepts originated by political philosophers are ingrained in our global consciousness. Yet many of us have an incomplete picture of how these ideas developed and, quite possibly, a skewed perception of their intentions and implications.

This highly relevant course sheds light on the labyrinth of Western political and social theory, as well as its influence on modern history. Guided by an award-winning professor of philosophy and author, these eye-opening lectures reveal how political philosophers, in responding to the societal problems and changing conditions of their day in revolutionary ways, created virtual blueprints of action for leaders. You'll gain not only the tools to comprehend the omnipresent language of politics, but a thorough understanding of the wellspring of thought that has emerged over centuries of political philosophy and the intellectual origins of major historical movements and events.

Throughout, questions of democracy, freedom, and distributive justice are addressed, and revolutionary figures who have left an indelible mark on history - from Niccolo Machiavelli to Ayn Rand - are encountered.

By the conclusion of lecture 36, you will have the context necessary to appreciate the evolution of a myriad of political ideas, including hot-button topics of today such as libertarianism, neoconservatism, feminism, and environmentalism.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2014 The Great Courses (P)2014 The Teaching Company, LLC

What listeners say about The Modern Political Tradition: Hobbes to Habermas

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    29
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    26
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    25
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent overview of the topic.

Cahoones course provided exactly what one would expect, a very balanced and scholarly review of the major thinkers in this discipline in the western traditition over the last few centuries. His lectures are accessible for interested learners from any sort of background, he signposts his lectures well and defines and discusses important general concepts that link the various thinkers and provides the tools for the listener to develop their own opinions and ideas. The breadth of the course and choice of topics is spot on, including the prominent philosophers in the conservative, liberal, libertarian, communitarian and postmodern schools, as well as pragmatists, feminists and environmentalists. The lectures are broken into reasonable 30-50 minute segments, ideal for a thoughtful afternoon or commute. #Audible1

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Attention Audible: Edits needed

Thank you professor Cahoon!

Audible there are a number of places where Professor Cahoon seems to repeat himself which one assumes we’re meant to be edited out. Please fix!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Digestible Politics

Well presented, succinct and compelling.
Prof Cahoone makes 2500 years fly by and make sense.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Easy to listen

Easy to listen to his explanations. Short chapters are perfect for listening on the go or when you are cooking dinner.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!