Political Theory Institute

Questions?

  • Political Theory Institute
    alevine@american.edu

Mailing Address
rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Lectures

On Wednesday, April 18, David Brooks, New York Times Op-Ed Columnist, spoke on "Human Beings as Social Animals: The Natural Basis of Sympathy, Culture, and Character".

POSTPONED UNTIL FALL: The inaugural Janus Forum Debate will feature Robert Kagan of the Brookings Institution vs. Christopher Preble, of CATO on the topic of "Are the Benefits of American Global Leadership Worth the Price?"

For more information on the Janus Forum, click here.

PTI Conference

Thank you to all the speakers and attendees of the inaugural PTI conference: Whither American Education?

The mission of the Political Theory Institute (PTI) is to encourage the serious study of the great questions of political theory and to bring the insights of political theorists to bear on current issues and events.

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Director Alan Levine

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A specialist in the history of Western political thought, Professor Levine's teaching and research interests include the theoretical principles of the United States, the concept of "America," and ancient, renaissance, modern, and postmodern political theory.

PTI Faculty


Political Theory Colloquium Lecture Series

The Washington, D.C. Political Theory Colloquium, Founded by Alan Levine 15 years ago, brings noted speakers to campus each semester. A good lecture series gives a focal point for a community and provides a real sense of intellectual excitement. It allows the community to engage in a common conversation in addition to the conversations in each particular class.

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Matthew Holbreich

PTI’s inaugural fellow is Matthew Holbreich of Notre Dame who wrote his dissertation on “Tocqueville and the French Tradition of Political Liberty.” In Fall 2011 he is teaching “American Political Thought”, and in the Spring he will lead a seminar (GOVT 496/696) on “Freedom”. For more information, click here.