I. 20th century political and economic philosophy & its effect on the world
(1) how did 20th century philosophers interact with and influence global and domestic politics, directly and indirectly
(2) who had the most influence and why
(3) where can that influence still be seen in governments and economies today
(4) who are their living intellectual/philosophical inheritors and what are they doing now
II. schools of thought: winners, losers, bystanders
(1) what were the main competing schools of thought in 20th century political & economic philosophy
(2) when and where did we see these theories put into action; which were put into action, which were not & why. which could be said to have been successful and why. which could be said to have failed and why. -- which theories have become reality, which have become museum pieces, why
To tackle some of these questions I have so far assembled a small reading list.
the open society and its enemies, vol 1&2, karl popper
(1) the human condition & (2) the origins of totalitarianism, hannah arendt
four essays on liberty, isaiah berlin
general theory of employment, interest and money, john maynard keynes
(1) the road to serfdom & (2) the constitution of liberty, friedrich hayek
emerging ideas
(1) frontiers of justice & (2) the quality of life, martha nussbaum
world poverty and human rights, thomas pogge
(1) frontiers of justice & (2) the quality of life, martha nussbaum
world poverty and human rights, thomas pogge
democracy's edges, phillipe van parijs
democracy 2.0, cass sunstein
I focused on different ideas in 20th century liberal theory and a few contemporary people that I am curious about (nussbaum, pogge, parijs, sunstein) . I was initially focused on developments in western politics, before and after WW2, such as Keynes' influence on economic and political theory and practice (e.g., the 'Keynesian revolution'), the influence of Hayek's ideas on Reagan and Thatcher, Popper's influence on George Soros and other examples of philosophy interacting with people and institutions in the outside world. I also wanted to see how philosophers interacted with and influenced the major social and political crises surrounding WW2. Heidegger was involved with Nazi germany, Giovanni Gentile with Mussolini. What were some other links between philosophers and the violently opposed political positions of the time?
I would like to populate my list with a more diverse crowd. I don't want to limit the research to different flavors of modern liberalism. Marxism is a big one that is missing (I was hoping Jesse could give me some tips on that one). I also know of at least one 20th philosopher who argued in favor of fascism and did some ghostwriting for Mussolini (Giovanni Gentile). Please if you can post any ideas on what philosophers, political theorists and economists should be included, and anything expanding beyond liberalism, marxism and fascism (e.g., different kinds of socialism, anarchism, communism... how they were put into practice if at all, where they came from) and any tips or insight on any of the questions above, I would love some input. If you can point to a specific book, that's even better!
I focused on different ideas in 20th century liberal theory and a few contemporary people that I am curious about (nussbaum, pogge, parijs, sunstein) . I was initially focused on developments in western politics, before and after WW2, such as Keynes' influence on economic and political theory and practice (e.g., the 'Keynesian revolution'), the influence of Hayek's ideas on Reagan and Thatcher, Popper's influence on George Soros and other examples of philosophy interacting with people and institutions in the outside world. I also wanted to see how philosophers interacted with and influenced the major social and political crises surrounding WW2. Heidegger was involved with Nazi germany, Giovanni Gentile with Mussolini. What were some other links between philosophers and the violently opposed political positions of the time?
I would like to populate my list with a more diverse crowd. I don't want to limit the research to different flavors of modern liberalism. Marxism is a big one that is missing (I was hoping Jesse could give me some tips on that one). I also know of at least one 20th philosopher who argued in favor of fascism and did some ghostwriting for Mussolini (Giovanni Gentile). Please if you can post any ideas on what philosophers, political theorists and economists should be included, and anything expanding beyond liberalism, marxism and fascism (e.g., different kinds of socialism, anarchism, communism... how they were put into practice if at all, where they came from) and any tips or insight on any of the questions above, I would love some input. If you can point to a specific book, that's even better!
Any discussion and criticism of any of the questions and topics raised above is very welcome. Share your thoughts!
Thanks,
Nate
