POL 188b
Modern Political Thought
Bernard Yack
Office Hours: Thursday 10-12 and by appointment
Olin-Sang 107, 6-2640
Politics 188b examines some of the most important and influential works of western
political thought from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. Since these works provide the
foundation for most modern political innovations, studying them prepares you for the study of
modern political systems (for example, American or Comparative Politics), as well as for the
study of all of the more specialized subjects (for example, Democratic Theory, Global Justice,
Conservative Political Thought, Radical Political Thought) within the field of political theory.
The course proceeds by way of a survey of a relatively small number of key texts, dealing with a
different author, on average, each week. Emphasis in both class and assignments will be on
careful analysis and evaluation of the arguments presented in these texts.
Course Requirements
Students will be expected to read assignments before class and be prepared to discuss them. In
addition to a final exam, there will be two papers of around 8-9 pages each. The papers will be
due on October 14 and November 24.
Required Readings
The following books have been ordered by the textbook store. If you choose to purchase
themselves yourself, try to get these editions of these texts, since they come in many editions.
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (Penguin).
John Locke, Letter on Toleration (Hackett).
J. S. Mill, On Liberty (Hackett).
J.J. Rousseau, Basic Political Writings (Hackett).
C. S. de Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws (Cambridge University Press).
The rest of the readings for the course are contained in a coursepack that can be purchased at the
first course meeting or from the Politics Department administrator, Rosanne Colocouris, in her
office.
1
Lecture and Reading Schedule
August 28: Introduction
September 2-5: Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince: Dedicatory Letter, Chapters 1, 5-8, 15-19, 2526. The Discourses: Book I, Introduction, Chapters 1-4, 25-28, 37-38, 58; Book
II, Introduction, Chapter 1. (Coursepack)
September 9-12: Michel de Montaigne, Essays: Book 1, Chapters 1-5, 23 (“Of Custom”), 30-31
(“Of Cannibals”), 50 (“Of Democritus and Heraclitus”); Book 2, Chapters 1 (“Of
the Inconsistency of Our Actions”), 5 (“Of Conscience”) 11 (“Of Cruelty”), 19
(“Of Freedom of Conscience’); Book 3, Chapters 1 (“Of the Useful and the
Honorable”), 9 (“Of Vanity” excerpts), 729-33, 761-62. (Coursepack)
September 16-23: Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, Author’s Introduction, Chapters 5-6, 10-21, 29.
September 30-October 3: John Locke, Letter on Toleration.
October 7-10: C. S. de Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, Preface, Books 11-12, 20.
October 14-17: J. S. Mill, On Liberty.
October 21-28: J. J. Rousseau, Discourse on the Origins of Inequality; The Social Contract,
Book 1, Book 2, Chapters 1-7, Book 3, Chapter 15.
November 4-11: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto, Marx, “Estranged
Labor,” “On the Realm of Necessity and the Realm of Freedom” (from Capital,
Volume 3) (all taken from The Marx-Engels Reader). (Coursepack)
November 14-18: Ortega y Gasset, Revolt of the Masses, Chapters 1-3, 6-11. (Coursepack)
November 21: M. Oakeshott, “Rationalism in Politics,” in Oakeshott, Rationalism in
Politics and Other Essays. (Coursepack)
December 2: H. Arendt, “What is Freedom,” in Arendt, Between Past and Future. (Coursepack)
December 5: Conclusion
2
University Policies
1) Academic Honesty
[The following is a statement of university policy:] Students are expected to be honest in all
academic work. All written work for this course must include appropriate citation of the sources
used. See section 56c ("Avoid Plagiarism") of the Concise English Handbook for guidance. The
university policy on academic honesty is distributed annually as part of the Rights and
Responsibilities handbook. Instances of suspected dishonesty will, without exception, be
forwarded to the Office of Student Affairs for possible referral to the Student Judicial System.
Potential sanctions include failure in the course and suspension from the university. If you have
any questions about this, please ask.
2) Documented Disabilities
If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to
have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see Prof. Yack after class.
3) Cell phones and Laptops
Use of Cellphones in Class is not permitted. Laptop use during class is restricted to class-related
activity.
3
COURSEPACK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
September 2-5: Machiavelli (Modern Library edition), The Prince: Dedicatory Letter, Chapters
1, 5-8, 15-19, 25-26; The Discourses: Book I, Introduction, Chapters 1-4, 25-28,
37-38, 58; Book II, Introduction, Chapter 1.
September 9-12: Montaigne, Essays (Stanford University Press edition) Book 1, Chapters 1-5, 23
(“Of Custom”), 31 (“Of Cannibals”), 50 (“Of Democritus and Heraclitus”); Book
2, Chapters 1 (“Of the Inconsistency of Our Actions”), 5 (“Of Conscience”) 11
(“Of Cruelty”), 19 (“Of Freedom of Conscience’); Book 3, Chapters 1 (“Of the
Useful and the Honorable”), 9 (“Of Vanity” excerpts), 729-33, 761-62.
November 4-11: Marx & Engels, The Communist Manifesto, “Estranged Labor,” “On the Realm
of Necessity and the Realm of Freedom” (from Capital, Volume 3) (all taked
from The Marx-Engels Reader)
November 14-18: Ortega y Gasset, Revolt of the Masses, Chapters 1-3, 6-11.
November 21: M. Oakeshott, “Rationalism in Politics,” taken from Oakeshott, Rationalism in
Politics and Other Essays.
December 2: H. Arendt, “What is Freedom,” taken from Arendt, Between Past and Future.
4