Politics as the Master of all Sciences

Dr Christopher Appiah-Thompson
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This podcast aims to explore how Political Science examines power and governance through different lenses — historical, philosophical, comparative, and empirical — and why these approaches matter for contemporary societies

Episodes

  1. Machiavelli’s World: Self-Assertion and the Birth of the State

    JAN 1

    Machiavelli’s World: Self-Assertion and the Birth of the State

    In this episode we look at Machiavelli is one of those names that has turned into an adjective. To call someone “Machiavellian” is to accuse them of cold, calculating ruthlessness. But that label hides something important: in John Plamenatz’s reading, Machiavelli is not simply a theorist of tyranny but the first great modern analyst of power, freedom, and the state who stands outsidethe theological tradition that preceded him.

    7 min
  2. Political Participation: Voting, Protests, and the Puzzle of Decline

    JAN 1

    Political Participation: Voting, Protests, and the Puzzle of Decline

    In the last lecture, the focus was on political behaviour, political culture, and political socialization—the difference between what people do, what they believe, and how they learn those beliefs. This episode goes deeper into one special kind of behaviour: political participation. The goals are threefold: to define participation, to distinguish conventional from unconventional forms, and to explore why voting has declined in much of the Caribbean even while protests have increased.

    8 min
  3. What Is Politics? Behaviour, Culture, Socialization

    JAN 1

    What Is Politics? Behaviour, Culture, Socialization

    This episode in the form of lectures aims to define political behaviour, distinguish it from economic and social behaviour, and illustrate with everyday examples (voting, protests, demonstrations, roadblocks). Define political culture and political socialization, and explain how ideas, values, and attitudes shape what people actually do in politics. Introduce the course structure: democracy, the state, systems of government, communism/post‑communism, Caribbean politics, and globalization.[Attachment]

    7 min
  4. Locke, Consent, and Property: Rethinking Political Obligation

    JAN 1

    Locke, Consent, and Property: Rethinking Political Obligation

    This episode aims to introduce Locke’s key ideas on government, consent, and property as presented in the text extracts. • Explain how Locke links political authority to the consent of the governed rather than to divine right or mere force. • Explore Locke’s argument that individual rights to life, liberty, and especially property set limits on governmental power. • Show how Locke’s theory of consent and revolution emerges against the background of the 1688 English Revolution. • Critically reflect on tensions in Locke’s account, including inequality, passive subjects, and the protection of propertied interests.

    8 min
  5. Mapping the Study of Politics

    JAN 1

    Mapping the Study of Politics

    This episode aims to introduce listeners to the broad field of Political Science, its sub-disciplines, and the enduring importance of political thought, from ancient philosophy to modern international relations.

    5 min
  • 5 Episodes

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This podcast aims to explore how Political Science examines power and governance through different lenses — historical, philosophical, comparative, and empirical — and why these approaches matter for contemporary societies

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