Lectures by William C. Fox

William C. Fox
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Full lectures by William C. Fox williamcfox.substack.com

  1. 2 days ago

    What Happens in China in 2049?

    Xi Jinping's Plan for 2049, the China Dream of National Rejuvenation, Explained.★Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/williamcfoxSourcing (too many characters for YT)https://williamcfox.substack.com/p/china-sourcing-and-reading-list?r=2fkhlr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true00:00 China History before Xi56:43 Xi's Dream1:58:00 Economics2:44:12 Unity & Foreign Policy3:28:10 CrystallizationSocial Media ▼Twitter➜ @williamcfoxInstagram➜ @williamcfoxTikTok ➜ @williamcfoxStock video and imagery provided by Getty Images.

    What Happens in China in 2049?

  2. 9 Sept

    Every Social Contract Theory, Explained.

    0:00 Intro 00:40 Hobbes Leviathan 1:23:39 Interlude: Pateman 1:48:12 Locke's State of Nature 2:26:03 Locke's Social Contract 3:02:12 Interlude: Mills 3:24:06 Rousseau's Discourse on Inequality 3:56:34 Rousseau's Social Contract 4:36:28 Why Obey? 4:55:42 ??? Sources: Bertram, Christopher, "Jean Jacques Rousseau", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2024 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.)Fukuyama, Francis. *The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution*. **2011**.Held, David. *Models of Democracy* (Third Edition). **2006**.Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. 1651.Kant, Immanuel. Theory and Practice in Political Right (Against Hobbes) 1793; Metaphysics of Morals, 1797Lessnoff, Michael (ed.) *Social Contract Theory*. **1990**.Lloyd, Sharon A. and Susanne Sreedhar, "Hobbes’s Moral and Political Philosophy", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2022 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.)Locke, John. Second Treatise. 1690. Peter Laslett edition, Cambridge. 1988 (2012). Mills, Charles W. The Racial Contract. 1997Morris, Christopher W. (ed.). *The Social Contract Theorists: Critical Essays on Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau*. **1999**.Pateman, Carole. The Sexual Contract. 1988. Plato. Crito. After 399BCE. Rauscher, Frederick, "Kant’s Social and Political Philosophy", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2026 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.)Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. 1971. (2012 ed.)**Ritchie, David George.** *Darwin and Hegel, with Other Philosophical Studies* (includes "Contributions to the History of the Social Contract Theory" and "On the Conception of Sovereignty"). **1893**.**Rousseau, Jean-Jacques.** *The Social Contract* (Complete Text and Introduction). **1762**. Grapevine. Harvard Phil 171: Modern Political Philosophy by Rawls 1984; Lecture 2 for Rawls explicitly including women, and suggesting that further groups/questions of justice behind the veil would be expected in future. Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images. Present Prologue History is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. To hear more, visit

    Every Social Contract Theory, Explained.

  3. 5 Aug

    When is it Democratic Socialism?

    What is Democratic Socialism? What makes it different than Socialism, Communism, Marxism or Social Democracy? 00:44 Manifesto for 1848 40:13 Interlude: Inevitability 01:29:15 Marxism to Orthodoxy 02:27:23 Revisionism 02:56:54 Reform or Revolution 03:22:50 Social Democracy vs Democratic Socialism 04:03:18 Defining the 'types' Sourcing Ascher, Abraham (Ed.). 1976. _The Mensheviks In The Russian Revolution_.Berman, Sheri. 2006. _The Primacy of Politics: Social Democracy and the Making of Europe's Twentieth Century_.Bernstein, Eduard. 1899. _Evolutionary Socialism_.Buhle, Paul. 1987. _Marxism in the United States_.Draper, Hal. 1987. The ‘Dictatorship of the Proletariat’ in Marx and Engels. Chapter 1. Eley, Geoff. 2002. _Forging Democracy: The History of the Left in Europe, 1850-2000_.Engels, Friedrich. 1880. _Socialism: Utopian and Scientific_.Gay, Peter. 1952. _The Dilemma of Democratic Socialism: Eduard Bernstein's Challenge to Marx_.Gramsci 1917. The Revolution against ‘Capital’Guttsman, W. L. 1981. _The German Social Democratic Party, 1875-1933: From Ghetto to Government_.Kolakowski, Leszek. 1978. _Main Currents of Marxism Volumes 1-3_Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich. 1905. _Two Tactics of Social-Democracy in the Democratic Revolution_.Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich. 1917. _The State and Revolution_.Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich. 1918. _The Proletarian Revolution and the Renegade Kautsky_.Luxemburg, Rosa. 1908 (Second Edition). _Reform or Revolution?_.Martov, Julius. Essays from 1919-1921. The State and the Socialist Revolution. (accessed via 'whatnextjournal')Marx, Karl. 1875. _Critique of the Gotha Programme_.Marx, Karl & Engels, Friedrich. 1848. _Manifesto of the Communist Party_.Modern/Critique:Brooks, David. 2026. Democrats Became Great by Fighting the Left.Flynn, Daniel J. 2008. _A Conservative History of the American Left_.Fortgang, Tal. 2026. Radicals Are at the Door.Sunkara, Bhaskar. 2019. The Socialist Manifesto: The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality.Michael Harrington. American activist and author by Markku Ruotsila. Britannica EditorsMisc:The Erfurt Program 1891. Translated: by Thomas Dunlap& Das Erfurter Programm (1891)Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images. To hear more, visit

    When is it Democratic Socialism?

  4. 7 Jul

    The Origins of Totalitarianism, Explained.

    Hannah Arendt's Origins of Totalitarianism captured the essence of total domination as seen in Germany and the Soviet Union during WWII. This lecture is a good-faith attempt to explain the book and Arendt's 'origins' in full. Sourcing for this episode can be found here: (There is also a topical index at this link, along with a page of Latin/German/French terms found in the book) 00:00 Intro 1:00 French Revolution & Nation-States 01:31:56 Arendt Bio & Book Concept 01:52:36 Generic Totalitarianism 02:24:10 Antisemitism Intro 02:58:28 Tocqueville Trap 03:31:11 Social Antisemitism 03:51:21 Disraeli 04:24:17 Panama, Dreyfus, Mob 05:28:48 Imperialism Intro, Emancipation of Bourgeoisie 06:12:49 Hobbes and power/expansion 07:00:17 Interlude Word Cloud 07:10:24 Boers and Bureaucracy 08:06:34 Interlude: Recapping Imperialism 08:14:05 Stateless People 09:17:14 Lonely Masses 10:05:16 Terror 10:23:08 Concluding Remarks At the start of my research, I watched every replay of two virtual reading groups from the Hannah Arendt Center on YouTube, led by Professor Roger Berkowitz:2023 (15 episodes) 2019 (18 episodes) Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images. To hear more, visit

    The Origins of Totalitarianism, Explained.

  5. 15 Jun

    How Fascism Dies

    How does fascism end? When fascists win, are the seeds of their destruction already present? This video explores the death of historical fascism in Germany, Italy, Spain, Britain and France to seek practical lessons to stop future fascism. Sourcing can be accessed: https://williamcfox.substack.com/p/complete-list-fascism-books-and-articles?r=2fkhlr(too many characters to paste here)★Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/williamcfox00:00 Intro01:03 Rise of the Nazis33:27 Remilitarization Problem 1:34:41 Economic Flight Forward 2:00:23 Interlude - Waves & Snowflakes 2:19:46 Runaway Radicalization3:14:08 Conclusions on German Fascism 3:27:55 Interlude: Spain & France4:04:27 Italian Fascism4:50:34 Interlude: British Fascism5:07:50 TakeawaysStock video and imagery provided by Getty Images. Present Prologue History is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. To hear more, visit williamcfox.substack.com

    How Fascism Dies

  6. 12 Apr

    Why North Korea is North Korea

    History of North Korea's Origins, from 2333 BC to 1953. In this lecture, we explore how North Korea was formed under Kim Jong Un's grandfather, Kim Il-Sung, beginning with the Russo-Japanese War and ending with the Korean War. We also cover the Joseon Dynasty and give a biography of Kim Il-Sung.★Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/williamcfoxSOURCING:Korea: Where the American Century Began by Pembroke 2018 The Korea War, an International history by Haruki. 2018 The Forgotten Political Elites of North Korea. Tertitskiy 2024 Origins of the Korean War Cumings Parts 1 & 2. 1981, 1992.Lankov. From Stalin to Kim Il Sung. 2002Forever President Michael J. Seth. 2025 2016 Routledge Handbook of Modern Korean History edited M. Seth A Concise History of Modern Korea MJ Seth 2010 Soviet-North Korean relations during the Cold War : unruly offspring / Fyodor Tertitskiy. Kim Il-sung in the Khrushchve era 2005Article (Abstract) Eom: Collusive Oligopolistic Politics: Sedo...2012. UBC.UNESCO "Archives of the Donghak Peasant Revolution"National Palace Museum of Korea. Su-hee Park. "Recording the Brief History of the Korean Empire"Intern, “Reflections of Joseon in DPRK’s Songbun Caste System.”Kim, “Land Reform in South Korea under the U.S. Military Occupation, 1945–1948.”Eom, “Collusive Oligopolistic Politics.”Brazinsky, Nation Building in South KoreaKim, The Development of Modern South Korea.“Archives of the Donghak Peasant Revolution - Memory of the World.”Google Arts & Culture, “Recording the Brief History of the Korean Empire.”Accidental Tyrant: The Life of Kim Il-Sung: Tertitskiy, FyodorThe Man and His Era: William TaubmanNorth Korea: What Everyone Needs to Know: McEachernTyranny of the Weak : North Korea and the World, 1950-1992. Kim Il-Sung: The Controversial Life and Legacy of North Korea’s First Supreme Leader. Land Reform in South Korea, 1945–1948. Journal of Cold War Studies 18, no. 2 (2016)“North Korea in a Nutshell: A Contemporary Overview: Oh, Kongdan, Hassig, Ralph“Leader Symbols and Personality Cult in North Korea: The Leader State.” pg 51-77The North Korean Revolution, 1945–1950 Charles K. Armstrong00:00-1:32 Intro1:33-41:37 Japan, Russia, Roosevelt41:38-02:38:26 Korea in Japan02:38:27-02:48:12 Stalin and Cat interrugnum02:48:13-03:31:31 1945-194603:31:32-03:50:31 1947-4803:50:32-04:18:56 1949-Korean WarStock video and imagery provided by Getty Images. To hear more, visit williamcfox.substack.com

    Why North Korea is North Korea

  7. 10 Mar

    The Problem With Abraham Lincoln

    A political biography of Abraham Lincoln, exploring his potential re-founding of the United States via a 'baptism of blood' - as well as his evolving views on natural equality vs. political and social equality.★Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/williamcfox 0:00-00:00-01:07 Intro 1:08-18:36 Good v Bad Lincoln 18:37-1:25:33 Jefferson & Natural Equality 1:25:34-2:34:18 Lincoln Pre-Civil War 2:34:19-4:02:20 Political Lincoln 4:02:21-4:46:15 Baptism of Blood Sources:Blackburn. Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln: An Unfinished Revolution. 2011.Boritt. The Gettysburg Gospel: The Lincoln Speech That Nobody Knows. 2006.Cotton. The Greatest Speech, Ever: The Remarkable Story of Abraham Lincoln and His Gettysburg Address. 2013. 1st edition.Dunlap et al. Long Remembered: Lincoln and his five.... 2011. 1st edition.Freedman. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship. 2012.Hirsch & Van Haften. The Ultimate Guide to the Gettysburg Address. 2016. 1st edition.Jaffa. Crisis of the House Divided: An Interpretation of the Issues in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. 1959.Jaffa. A New Birth of Freedom: Abraham Lincoln and the Coming of the Civil War. 2000.Johnson. Writing the Gettysburg Address. 2013.Kendall & Carey. The Basic Symbols of the American Political Tradition. 1970 (1995 Catholic University of America Press edition).McPherson. Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution. 1991.Warren. Lincoln's Gettysburg Declaration: "A New Birth of Freedom". 1964.Wills. Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America. 1992.The Art of Abraham Lincoln by McPherson. NY Review of Books Jul 16, 1992Founders' Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln. Richard BrookhiserAbraham Lincoln. Redeemer President. 1999. Allen C. GuelzoLincoln and the Radicals. T Harry WilliamsTeam of Rivals. Doris Kearns GoodwinLord Charnwood. Abraham Liincoln.Our One Common Country. James B. Conroyprimary sources speeches and letters:Lyceum Address January 27, 1838Temperance Address February 22, 1842Eulogy on Henry Clay July 6, 1852Speech at Peoria October 16, 1854Letter to Joshua Speed August 24, 1855Speech on the Dred Scott Decision June 26, 1857"House Divided" Speech June 16, 1858"Electric Cord" Speech July 10, 1858Fragment on Democracy c. August 1858First Debate with Stephen A. Douglas August 21, 1858Fourth Debate with Stephen A. Douglas September 18, 1858Fifth Debate with Stephen A. Douglas October 7, 1858Seventh Debate with Stephen A. Douglas October 15, 1858Letter to J. N. Brown October 18, 1858Letter to Henry L. Pierce and others April 6, 1859Cooper Union Address February 27, 1860Address in Independence Hall February 22, 1861July 4th Message to Congress July 4, 1861Letter to Horace Greeley August 22, 1862Annual Message to Congress December 1, 1862The Gettysburg Address November 19, 1863Letter to Governor Michael Hahn March 13, 1864Letter to Albert G. Hodges April 4, 1864Address at Sanitary Fair (Lecture on Liberty) April 18, 1864The President's Last Public Address April 11, 1865Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images. To hear more, visit

    The Problem With Abraham Lincoln

  8. 3 Feb

    When is it Dictatorship?

    What is dictatorship,? Explained. Dictatorship questions answered, including its distinction with authoritarianism, totalitarianism and monarchy. 00:00-01:32 Intro01:33-10:09 Paradox of Law10:10-1:28:58 Roman Dictatorship1:28:59-1:51:07 Sulla Dictatorship1:51:08-2:36:10 Caesar Dictatorship2:36:11-3:38:10 Two Types of Dictatorship3:38:11-5:00:46 Sovereign & Social Contract5:00:47-5:32:47 TakeawayStock video and imagery provided by Getty Images.

    When is it Dictatorship?
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