Episode notes
Alex and Benjamin discuss Nicole Oresme, a 14th century French bishop who took an interest in political economy. An advocate for limited monarchy, Oresme argued against the right of king to debase the currency and even to raise taxes. Yet, at the same time, he argued for major redistribution of wealth within the church. These seemingly conflicting positions were, for Oresme, reconciled by appeal to Aristotle.
Political Theory 101
by Political Theory 101 · English · News
A podcast about political theory. Freely available to all, but we'd love your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/politicaltheory101 Also available on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play
More from Political Theory 101
-
19 Sep 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
Deleuze & Guattari
Alex and Benjamin explore the agonistic political thought of Deleuze and Guattari, focusing especially on their ideas about territory, change, and flow.
-
28 Aug 2023 · 1 hr 19 min
Althusser & Foucault, Ideology & Power
Alex and Benjamin kick off a series on French political thought in the second half of the 20th century with an episode on ideology and power.
-
14 Aug 2023 · 1 hr 40 min
Free Speech with Doug Lain
Alex and Benjamin bring on Doug Lain to talk about free speech in the 21st century. Doug offers his take on why free speech matters, and we discuss the political economy of speech and the role the state and civil society play in shaping public discussion. They also discuss his critique of Noam Chomsky and his interest in the work of Guy Debord.
-
6 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 33 min
Kojève & the End of History
We talk about Alexandre Kojève, whose reading of Hegel gave rise to a theory of recognition and of an "end of history". We also discuss Kojève's influence on Francis Fukuyama and on contemporary liberalism.
-
4 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 33 min
Murray Edelman & Symbolic Politics
We discuss the work of American political scientist Murray Edelman, whose work on symbolic politics predates later French theory on the "spectacle".
-
27 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 41 min
Clarence Streit and International Federalism
We discuss Streit's 1939 proposal for a international federation of democracies to avoid a new world war. We explore the limits of argumentation and the difference between making an argument and doing politics.
-
8 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 27 min
Friedrich List and the National System
We discuss Friedrich List's many careers, his struggle for a German customs union, his belief that nationalism would lead to the "uniting of all nations under a common law of right", what happened instead, and why.
-
6 Jul 2025 · 1 hr 22 min
Vico and the Concept of the Natural
We discuss Vico's theory of nature, his unorthodox mix of stereotypically ancient and modern approaches, and how his "new science" seems to be going so far.
-
6 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 41 min
Hobbes' Behemoth
A whole episode of Political Theory 101 devoted to Thomas Hobbes' Behemoth. We discuss Hobbes' historical narrative and his theory of education, both of which receive little attention in Leviathan.
-
21 Apr 2025 · 1 hr 48 min
Nick Land & the Politics of Acceleration (w/Michael Downs)
Michael Downs joins Benjamin to discuss the political thought of Nick Land, its relationship to the work of Deleuze and Guattari, and the degree to which it has influenced the contemporary left and right.
Take it with you
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
