By John von Heyking, Nov 12, 2009 in Pedagogy and Teaching
Connecting classical political thought and contemporary problems.
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Introducing The Subfields of Political Science: Big Questions for Contemporary Politics, Part IV
By John von Heyking, Oct 30, 2009 in Musings, Pedagogy and Teaching
Debating the character of national political structures—in this case Canadian.
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Introducing The Subfields of Political Science: Big Questions for Contemporary Politics, Part III
By John von Heyking, Oct 21, 2009 in Pedagogy and Teaching
Reflections on Political History and National Identity.
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Introducing The Subfields of Political Science: Big Questions for Contemporary Politics, Part II
By John von Heyking, Oct 12, 2009 in Pedagogy and Teaching
For the latest iteration of my Introduction to Political Studies, I assigned a few articles dealing with the contemporary state of liberal education as a way to get my students thinking about the political problems set forth in their assigned introductory reading for this class (Huxley’s Brave New World) and in their assigned political philosophy readings (Plato’s Apology of Socrates and Crito). While these readings focus on liberal education, the primary readings of Huxley and Plato also suggest contemporary readings on individual freedom or resistance. I chose liberal education as a focus because those other topics tend to flatter too much the sense undergraduates have of their own assertiveness. They might already be identifying too much, and for the wrong reasons, with Bernard Marx and Socrates.
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Introducing The Subfields of Political Science: Big Questions for Contemporary Politics, Part I
By John von Heyking, Sep 30, 2009 in Pedagogy and Teaching
From the perspective of the student, a major weakness of the “great texts” approach is that it fails to provide them with much information on current events. While I do my best to explain to them that political science is not the same as current events, there is an element of truth in their criticism because political science strives to understand what is going on now.
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Introducing the Subfields of Political Science: Comparative Politics - Part 2
By John von Heyking, Aug 25, 2009 in Musings, Pedagogy and Teaching, Publishing and Research
Premodern Islamic attitudes and practices were by and large based on low expectations on what politics can achieve. Humanity is depraved, and tolerating a bad ruler or even tyrant is a matter of getting what one deserves or obtaining the best one can hope for. Because of this low expectation, Muslims historically have been able to keep distance between their political authorities and their religious practices. If one affirms the depravity of one's ruler, then one will take guard to ensure he lacks authority to dictate religious doctrine or practice. Brown observes the Ottoman empire, where the emperor had authority to appoint clerics, marks the greatest extent political authorities were able to influence religious practices.
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Introducing the Subfields of Political Science: Comparative Politics - Part 1
By John von Heyking, Aug 18, 2009 in Musings, Publishing and Research
The fourth and final subfield I cover in my Introduction to Political Studies class is Comparative Politics. This subfield is the most problematic and difficult for two basic reasons.
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Introducing the Subfields of Political Science: International Politics - Part 8
By John von Heyking, Aug 12, 2009 in Musings, Publishing and Research
Finally, in the 2nd Supplement of To Perpetual Peace, Kant issues his secret protocol, an exception to his rule that all articles to treaties must be public.
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Introducing the Subfields of Political Science: International Politics - Part 7
By John von Heyking, Aug 6, 2009 in Musings, Publishing and Research
Kant leaves open some questions concerning the "self-interest" societies have in joining the federation of republics. Does Kant anticipate the federation of republics making a pre-emptive strike against non-members who, by definition, are essentially warlike? After all, they wish to defend themselves. Does the movement toward perpetual peace in fact increase the likelihood of war? Does his federation have the seeds to exhibit the same imperialistic ambitions that plagued the Athenians, especially after Pericles died? Is "making the world safe for democracy" the perpetual Sicilian expedition for all democracies?
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Introducing the Subfields of Political Science: International Politics - Part 6
By John von Heyking, Jul 31, 2009 in Musings, Publishing and Research
States depart the lawless state by the same logic as individuals depart the state of nature. They simply tire of killing one another and find mutually beneficial relations advantageous. In pursuing their self-interest (for peace), they discover the advantages of avoiding war. Kant insists individuals remain as depraved as ever. Rather, the "mechanism of nature" enables cooperation to evolve; individuals seeking their self-interest inadvertently produce public goods.
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