Course Description: Political ideas often embody abstract principles, but they are also tied to the political world: they reflect social concerns and shape governing institutions and political practice. This has been especially true in the American case. American political theorists, while not indifferent to the long tradition of political discourse, have responded to the pressure of events and sought in turn to mold political outcomes. American political thought has confronted the problem of how best to refashion the political order to accommodate the emergent and evolving social realities. We will follow the development of American political thought over time to identify the questions theorists posed for themselves, the historical context that framed their work, the impact of their ideas on politics, and the current significance of those ideas. This course will introduce you to this tradition of thought so that you may interact creatively with it. This course should give you a broad introduction to American political thought, thinkers, and thinking which will prepare you for more in-depth classes in political theory and make you more interesting to talk with at parties.
