Moral Foundations of Politics - Introduction and Course Overview

Explore the foundations of political legitimacy in this 35-minute introductory lecture from Yale University's "Moral Foundations of Politics" course. Delve into the course structure, syllabus, and central question: What makes a government legitimate? Examine five approaches to answering this question, including Enlightenment traditions of utilitarianism, Marxism, and social contract theory, as well as anti-Enlightenment and democratic perspectives. Gain insights into the course's distinctive aspects and prepare for an upcoming discussion on the Eichmann problem. Discover how this Spring 2010 lecture sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of political philosophy and ethics.