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The Political Theory Review

Jeffrey Church
Political Theory
Democracy
Liberalism
Democratic Theory
Political Philosophy
Hegel
Philosophy
Economic Inequality
Capitalism
Populism
Marx
Liberal Democracy
American Politics
Dystopia
Christianity
Natural Law
Moral Progress
Culture Wars
American Slavery
Public Policy

Conversations with scholars on recent books in Political Theory and Social and Political Philosophy.This podcast is not affiliated with the University of Wisconsin, and no opinions expressed on this podcast are that of the University of Wisconsin. Image: Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), After a model by Jean Antoine Houdon (French, Versailles 1741–1828 Paris), in the public domain courtesy of th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded9 years ago
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PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Political Theory Review

Latest Episodes

A conversation with Burke Hendrix about his recent book, "Contexts of Justice: Native Peoples, Political Theory, and Fair Treatment" (Oxford UP).

A conversation with Paul Stern about his recent book, "Dante's Political Philosophy: Rethinking Paradiso" (Cambridge UP).

A conversation with Mårten Björk and Tormod Johansen about their recent book "The End of Law: Political Theology and the Crisis of Sovereignty" (Routledge).

A conversation with Paul DeHart about his recent book, "The Social Contract in the Ruins" (U of Missouri Press).

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Recent Guests

Paul Stern
Emeritus Professor of Politics at Ursinus College
Ursinus College
Episode: Episode 213: Paul Stern - Dante's Political Philosophy
Marten Björk
Research fellow in the Center for Theology and Religious Studies at Lund University
Lund University
Episode: Episode 212: Mårten Björk and Tormod Johansen - The End of Law
Tormod Johansen
Senior lecturer in the Department of Law at the University of Gothenburg
University of Gothenburg
Episode: Episode 212: Mårten Björk and Tormod Johansen - The End of Law
Paul DeHart
Professor of Political Science at Texas State University
Texas State University
Episode: Episode 211: Paul DeHart - The Social Contract in the Ruins
Jan-Werner Mueller
Professor of politics at Princeton University
Princeton University
Episode: Episode 210: Jan-Werner Mueller - Street, Palace, Square
Mark Hoipkemier
Assistant Research Professor at the Mendoza College of Business, Notre Dame
Notre Dame University
Episode: Episode 209: Mark Hoipkemier - The Price of the Common Good
Steven Lukes
Professor Emeritus of Sociology, NYU
New York University
Episode: Episode 208: Steven Lukes - The Diversity of Morals
Christian Miller
AC Reid Professor of Philosophy
Wake Forest University
Episode: Episode 207: Christian Miller - The Honesty Crisis
Ian Shapiro
Sterling Professor of Political Science and Global Affairs at Yale University
Yale University
Episode: Episode 206: Ian Shapiro - After the Fall

Host

Jeffrey Church
Host of The Political Theory Review; UW–Madison (Department of Political Science)

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 110 ratings
  • Great podcasts but….

    Great podcast but routinely hindered by the poor audio of guests. Get a tech guy.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Patrick b dog
    Australia3 months ago
  • Great podcast

    I’ve been listening to this for a while now, and almost every episode is very enlightening. Thank you, Dr. Church (and you normally delightful guests).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dogsberry
    United States2 years ago
  • Thoughtful discussion

    A haven of intellectual and interesting dialogue. Thank goodness

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tonysh58
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Great education in political theory

    As an undergraduate at UW-Madison in the early 1990s Political Theory with Professor Charles Anderson was my favorite class. These discussions continue my education in this domain.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ChoffWisco
    United States5 years ago
  • Upgrade microphone

    This could be a great show, but the audio is so poor, that it is difficult to sit through an entire episode. Again, Church is smart and engaging, so pay for his show Houston!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    North Carolina prof
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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Audience notes the interview format as a strength for deep understanding of complex ideas.
Listeners praise the rigorous, thoughtful dialogue and guest expertise.
Audio quality is occasionally a complaint, but content is highly valued by engaged listeners.
Some listeners request better production quality but still value the host and guests.
The show is described as educational and enlightening, with strong scholarly insight.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 212: Mårten Björk and Tormod Johansen - The End of Law
Q: So could Hart motivate attachment to the law for someone who feels alienated from it?
Hart provides a framework where the loyalty to law and the legitimacy of positive law come from reasons beyond mere personal consent, including social practice, ongoing legislative reform, and a commitment to the rule of law, while recognizing potential disobedience when laws are unjust.
Episode 211: Paul DeHart - The Social Contract in the Ruins
Q: How does Hobbes actually ground obligation if his framework relies on a covenant and the authority of the sovereign?
Hobbes grounds obligation pragmatically through a transfer of rights to ensure peace and self-preservation, but DeHart argues this grounding remains problematic without a deeper oughtness or normative ground beyond mere will, which Hobbes struggles to provide.
Episode 211: Paul DeHart - The Social Contract in the Ruins
Q: What is the essence or crux of the incoherence you find in non-foundational social contract theory?
Non-foundational theories struggle to justify why some political obligations are binding without appealing to a moral or metaphysical ground; consent and agreement alone do not provide a stable basis for obligation since they can be contingent, ambiguous, or culturally relative.
Episode 209: Mark Hoipkemier - The Price of the Common Good
Q: Let me ask you, first of all, to say a little bit about what motivated you to write the book in the first place.
The motivation comes from noticing how the common good is not restricted to politics or democracy; it can be analyzed within economic institutions like firms and markets by distinguishing domains of the common good and examining how cooperation around shared aims sustains productive, innovative enterprises.
Episode 210: Jan-Werner Mueller - Street, Palace, Square
Q: Could you talk a little bit about the ancient heritage of popular assembly and its significance for democracy?
Mueller explains that Athens and Rome illustrate a dual structure: a formal site for collectively binding decisions and an informal, multi-use public space where discourse and judgment form—emphasizing that both are crucial for a functioning democracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Political Theory Review

What is The Political Theory Review about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Scholarly conversations focus on recent books in political theory and social philosophy, featuring professors and researchers who unpack deep theoretical ideas, historical influences, and practical implications for democracy and justice. Episodes emphasize rigorous exegesis of thinkers and schools, alongside pedagogical approaches to teaching political theory, interdisciplinary links, and the role of narrative in political life. A notable strength is the depth of guest expertise, with extensive discussions that connect classical texts to contemporary issues, making it valuable for researchers, students, and professionals seeking thoughtful, book-centered dialogue. A recurring edge is the careful balance between theory and its real-world con... more

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1. New Books in Critical Theory
2. Politics Theory Other
3. Past Present Future
4. The Good Fight
5. Know Your Enemy

How many episodes of The Political Theory Review are there?

The Political Theory Review launched 9 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Political Theory Review?

Recent guests on The Political Theory Review include:

1. Paul Stern
2. Marten Björk
3. Tormod Johansen
4. Paul DeHart
5. Jan-Werner Mueller
6. Mark Hoipkemier
7. Steven Lukes
8. Christian Miller

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