Portrait of Lord Melvyn Bragg, host of In Our Time

Political philosophy

Political philosophy or political theory is the philosophical study of government, addressing questions about the nature, scope, and legitimacy of public agents and institutions and the relationships between them. Its topics include politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of laws by authority: what they are, if they are needed, what makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect, what form it should take, what the law is, and what duties citizens owe to a legitimate government, if any, and when it may be legitimately overthrown, if ever.

2 episodes

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  1. The Divine Right of Kings

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Divine Right of Kings. The idea that kingly authority derives from God alone bit deep into the culture of 17th century Britain.

    11 October 2007

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    Featuring: Justin Champion, Thomas Healy, Clare Jackson

     
  2. The Frankfurt School

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Frankfurt School, a group of influential German thinkers who argued that culture keeps people passive.

    14 January 2010

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    Featuring: Jonathan Rée, Esther Leslie, Raymond Geuss