Power over People: Classical and Modern Political Theory

By: Dennis Dalton, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Dennis Dalton

What is the connection between individual freedom and social and political authority? Are human beings fundamentally equal or unequal? In 16 in-depth lectures, Professor Dalton puts the key theories of power formulated by several of history's greatest minds within your reach.

These lectures trace two distinct schools of political theory, idealism and realism, from their roots in ancient India and Greece through history and, ultimately, to their impact on the 20th century - via the lives and ideas of two charismatic, yet utterly disparate leaders: Adolph Hitler and Mahatma Gandhi. The issues Professor Dalton addresses in these lectures - and in Western political theory generally - fall into three sets of fundamental questions you'll get to unpack. The first set involves the essential characteristics of human nature and the good society. The second focuses on the intricate relationship between the individual and society. And the final set of questions involves theories about change.

Through these lectures and their historical case studies, you'll be able to identify the fundamental questions and concerns that shape classical and modern political theory:

• Describe the influence of one's understanding of human nature upon one's vision of the good society.
• Compare and contrast the views of theorists regarding the purpose of the state, the relationship between politics and ethics, and the qualifications for exercising political power.
• Discuss views of leading political theorists regarding the meaning of freedom, the sources of legitimate political authority, and the obligations of individuals to the state or society, and more.

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

©1991 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1991 The Great Courses

Incredibly enriching course!

This is an excellent book! Anyone interested in political theory should listen! My only complaints would be that the lecturer sometimes seems to ramble on, not finishing a sentence for thirty seconds to a minute, which can make it difficult to find a good stopping place. Professor Dalton is, nevertheless, an incredibly skilled teacher and will serve as an accessible guide to any listener through the history of political thought. It left me craving more.

Has all the attributes

expected of a dedicated, life long, thoroughly prprofessor whose is able to communicate the understanding of the complexity inherent in these philosophic ideas. Doubtful that single listen will be NEAR enough to plumb it's depth. For me, it HAS provided an opportunity to amalgamate knowledge from a multitude of similar thinkers

Phenomenal

I loved it; I just LOVED it Incredibly informative, engaging and insightful all at once. I'm now inspired to take a class with this outstanding professor; his content is stellar and his narration- well, he's simply mesmerizing to listen to. I can't say enough about how incredible this series of lectures is, regardless of your field of study, you'll enjoy it.

Fantastic

Excellent series, great lecturer, highly recommended, should be required listening for all citizens.

One of the very best Teaching Company courses.

Interest View Point

This Great Course surprised me in the choice of topics and persons. He covers the classical or Western and Indian political thought. He also focuses on the power of the self which is evident in his coverage of Freud and Gandhi. However, the main focus is still how to rule over people whether that is the idealism of Rousseau or Plato or the gritty realism of Machiavelli.