An exploration of the most significant arguments for and against liberal democracy, followed by an examination of challenges facing liberal orders today. Beginning with a comparison between ancient and modern republicanism, the course scrutinizes the intellectual architecture of the modern state, proceeds to examine the foundational arguments for liberalism of John Locke, Immanuel Kant, and John Stuart Mill, and then turns to the critical writings of Edmund Burke, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Nietzsche (and their modern heirs). Finally, the course canvasses contemporary challenges to liberal democracy: the replacement of politics by bureaucracy (or administration), tensions between nationalism and multiculturalism, the dangers of populism, and the rise of social media disinformation and surveillance capitalism. While situating thinkers within their contexts, students will be encouraged to view liberal democracy through the competing theoretical lenses of the course.

Skills to be assessed include: • Knowledge of the positions of canonical thinkers in the history of liberalism and of their critics • Understanding of the historical contexts of these thinkers • Ability to read texts with care, precision, and insight, and apply their arguments to contemporary issues. • Ability to analyze critically (and draw conclusions about) opposing positions & arguments • Ability to communicate, verbally & in writing, reasoned views on theoretical/political positions about liberal democracy and its challenges today.

The course will be broken into three parts: 1). The Foundations of Liberalism; 2). Critics of Liberalism; and 3). Contemporary Challenges. A provisional thematic list of topics can be found below.

Readings TBA. A mix of primary sources in the history of political thought but also contemporary writings by people influenced by this history. Every week there will be mandatory readings and optional ones. Sometimes, videos, interviews, or podcasts will be assigned.

Classes will be principally lectured based -- laptops, tablets, and cell phones must be stowed and out of sight in bags or coats. We will occasionally split into smaller groups for debates, activities, and focused discussions about particular topics. The instructor will also solicit student feedback and encourage class discussion at moments throughout his formal lectures.

TWO MIDTERMs (25% EACH) AND FINAL EXAM (50%). All the examinations will be parallel in format, with the final longer than the midterms. Assessments will be hand-written. The two midterms will be ninety minutes and held in class. The final will be three hours, though you may require less time. Each exam will involve short essays questions (i.e., open questions involving political philosophical thinking, demonstrated understanding of the course material, and ability to evaluate critically opposing theoretical positions), each requiring around a half to a full page in response, minimum. The first midterm centers on "The Foundations of Liberalism" and the second on "Critics of Liberalism", while the final will be comprehensive. It will orbit "Contemporary Challenges", while inviting students to use material from the first two sections to address these challenges. Students will have some choice as to which questions they answer. The material of the examinations will track along with the course lectures, class activities, and assigned readings. There will not be surprises. Materials will be posted to LUISS Learns which will facilitate note-taking and review. After the second midterm, if an attending student wishes, they can choose to take the written final for 100% of their course mark. Failure to take one of the two midterms will cause a student to become non-attending, which will be assessed by a comprehensive oral exam on the entirety of the course material. If a student rejects their final grade after the written final, they will take a comprehensive oral final at a later appello. Again, the midterm marks and the option of taking a written final expires after the winter appello. At that point, students are categorized as non-attending and must take a comprehensive oral final, 100% of the mark. Students with 3 or less absences and active participation can receive an extra point added to their final grade —an attendance sheet will be send around in each class session to register attendance. Non-attending students will be given an oral, comprehensive exam based on the course material. Students who do not take the written final in summer may keep their two midterm grades through the winter exam period. If they exceed this window, they will be characterized as non-attending and so need to take a comprehensive oral final exam worth 100% of the mark. At the end of the semester, Prof. Jaffe will be happy to meet with you to explain your grade if you have questions or concerns.

For those of you interested, please reach me at sjaffe@luiss.it.