LIB566 - The Philosophy of Power: Why Does Anyone Rule—and Why Do Others Obey?
Course Description
How have people understood and used power? We’ll trace the evolution of political power from ancient Greece to the 21st century. Through influential thinkers including Plato, Augustine, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Burke, Marx, Weber, Gramsci, Bourdieu and Foucault, we’ll examine how ideas of authority, legitimacy, sovereignty, elites, institutions and democracy developed across history. We’ll explore how power operates through governments, religion, economics, bureaucracy, culture, education and knowledge, revealing that political authority extends far beyond rulers and laws. We’ll conclude by examining how data, digital technology, surveillance, artificial intelligence and new forms of influence are reshaping political power, raising fresh questions about freedom, democracy, citizenship and the future of democratic societies.
This course is offered in person.
A $50 discount is available during check-out for adults 55+.