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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Moral Foundations of Politics by Yale University

4.9
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5,857 ratings

About the Course

When do governments deserve our allegiance, and when should they be denied it? This course explores the main answers that have been given to this question in the modern West. We start with a survey of the major political theories of the Enlightenment: Utilitarianism, Marxism, and the social contract tradition. In each case, we begin with a look at classical formulations, locating them in historical context, but then shift to the contemporary debates as they relate to politics today. Next, we turn to the rejection of Enlightenment political thinking, again exploring both classical and contemporary formulations. The last part of the course deals with the nature of, and justifications for, democratic politics, and their relations to Enlightenment and Anti-Enlightenment political thinking. In addition to exploring theoretical differences among the various authors discussed, considerable attention is devoted to the practical implications of their competing arguments. To this end, we discuss a variety of concrete problems, including debates about economic inequality, affirmative action and the distribution of health care, the limits of state power in the regulation of speech and religion, and difficulties raised by the emerging threat of global environmental decay....

Top reviews

SS

Jul 1, 2020

The lectures are easy to understand, the reading materials informative. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and any beginner will be able to grasp the technicalities of Moral Politics after this Course.

MS

Sep 16, 2015

excellant work dont by Dr Ian Shapiro and staff on putting such a mind turning,thought provoking MOOC on a complex and ever controversial subject known as POLITICS!..I hope to see more from them soon

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201 - 225 of 1,087 Reviews for Moral Foundations of Politics

By Pedro V D

May 21, 2023

One of the best online courses I've ever done.

The videos are set as a discussion between the Professor and two students, which makes them very engaging and more relatable. The reading materials complement de lectures really well.

By Chianh J X

Jun 16, 2020

Professor Shapiro provided a very comprehensive review of the past and current political regimes. This was a very thought-provoking course that allowed me to gain a better understanding of the current political scene. Thank you!

By Himmat S

May 1, 2017

The course gives an excellent insight into the topic of a legitimate government.The examples which are discussed before every theory provide thought provoking dialogue and knowledge thus its equally entertaining and intriguing.

By Bernard G

Jun 1, 2019

This course introduces you to the variety of philosophies and political ideologies. It has left me with a much better understanding of political arguments as well as the ability to analyze better interrupt many current issues.

By Abhaysinh M

Mar 13, 2021

The most enriching experience, grateful to Professor Ian Shapiro and his interactive students who helped me understand the various political concepts and ideologies in a very simplified manner. I recommend this course a 100%!

By Chou H

Mar 13, 2023

A great course which helps me understand the philosophical foundations of politics. The course starts from Enlightenment including utilitarianism, Marxism, and social contract theory, and finally we talk about the democracy.

By IRMA A P

Feb 19, 2023

Tenía mucos años que no había tocado estos temas y la forma en que se explicaron y los videos fueron muy enriquecedores, aunque me permito insistir si es importante que se envíen los contenidos y las lecturas con traducción.

By José M O L

Jun 21, 2020

An excelent introduction to the main aspects of the most important political ideological traditions in our modern history. It is indeed an essential course most people interested or actually involved in politics should take.

By Brenna M

Jun 15, 2020

I loved this course. It was the right amount of challenge and allowed me to learn things that I had never thought of before. Shapiro has a way of holding your attention which is really good as there was never a dull moment.

By Andrea

Jun 22, 2017

Love this course. Getting through the first couple lectures gets you hooked on the sharp insights of Prof. Shapiro and takes you though the intricacies of politics, economics and justice. Very interesting. Very stimulating.

By Juan C

Jun 10, 2020

I really liked it, I really appreciated being able to read authors again from different points of view and refresh the different perspectives of contemporary aspects within life and politics.

Very thankful

Sincerily,

Juan

By James T M J

Jan 7, 2016

Superbly taught and enlightening course - this material seems to include a lot of the foundations of today's public discourse. The small seminar and occasionally Socratic method by a master teacher is highly effective.

By Yuri P

Sep 28, 2015

La forma en que el profesor Shappiro es capaz de hacer teoríapolítica desde la inferencia es n slo grandilocuente, además es movilizadora, didactica y un punto eterno de inflexión y reflexión de los tópicos a tratarse.

By Frederico M d M

Sep 10, 2020

I loved the content and the dynamics of this course. It was the first course that I engaged and finished here on Coursera, and I feel that it is contributing a lot to improve my point of view of the world. Thank you!

By Aman P

Oct 12, 2022

Politics is part of everyone life . It influence directly and indirectly in different ways. And this is the best course if you're looking for basic concepts and foundation , understanding different political terms

By Jaminson A M C

Jun 26, 2020

It is an excellent course, the teacher knows very well how to present the subject, I try to be objective, the careful way in which he chose the students is wonderful, courses like this open up the panorama for you.

By Raphael A

Dec 20, 2022

Prof. Shapiro is a class of his kind. A very well layout course, a brilliantly crafted presentation of the subject matter, and amazing ideas from fellow students sharpens my understanding and depth of this course.

By Tamara M

Apr 11, 2022

Thank you very much to the Professor Ian Shapiro and the entire team who worked on the course. It was very interesting and useful - highly recommend to anyone interested in the subject. What a great course!

By NITYA T

Nov 12, 2021

Excellent course with in-depth knowledge about politics and the concept of democracy. The classes are very engaging and interesting. It also clears various important concepts involving the contemporary issues.

By Alejandro S

Jan 11, 2021

Un curso muy completo con una profundidad del tema extraordinario. El manejo de las diferentes corrientes y lineas de pensamiento por parte del profesor Shapirro lleva el curso a un nivel alto de aprendizaje.

By Berna A

Mar 4, 2019

thank you for this course İt was really so enlightening to compare the period of political thought on public policy . I really appriciated Shapiro's guide for understanding with the examples of everyday life.

By Марк А

May 8, 2023

Большое спасибо за такой ценный и интересный курс! Был очень рад познакомиться с профессором и его дискуссией со студентами. Уверен, что полученные знания станут крепкой основой моего профессионального роста

By Mogbolu N I

Jul 5, 2022

This is one of the most mentaly stimulating coursea I have ever taken both on coursera and otherwise. Special thanks to the university of YALE and the wonderful Professor Shapiro. I enjoyed every bit of it.

By Anna V

Mar 11, 2021

Very interesting course! Nicely laid out to include students and with a lot of additional reading provided this course gives a solid overview of political philosophy development with application to timeline.

By Jaime A

Apr 25, 2020

Maravilloso curso, una acertada manera de conectar a los pensadores clásicos con los modernos, un visión amplia de la filosofía, la sociología, economía y de la política para entender la democracia moderna.