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POL 441
Studies in Political Philosophy:
Philosophical Reflections on Modernity and Globalization

Spring, 2002

Dr. Knippenberg

Office Hours: M - Th 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Phone: 364-8341

Email: jknippenberg@facstaff.oglethorpe.edu

Prior to September 11th, the leading theme on the minds of those who gave any thought to international affairs was globalization, understood by and large as the dissemination of the influence of "Western" capital and capitalism across the entire world. Many commentators understood that what drove this process was North American and Western European advantages in wealth, information, and information technology, all of which were no respecters of national or even regional boundaries. There was, of course, some debate about the goodness of globalization, but most of its opponents were perceived to be latter-day Luddites, romantically and hopelessly opposed to the very modern technology of which they took advantage to organize their protests in places like Seattle and Genoa.

In the aftermath of September 11th, we seem to have forgotten these debates, focusing instead on the global threat of terrorism, on the battle between "civilization" and "barbarism." But I would like to suggest that at least one source of the Islamist enmity toward the United States is the former's rejection of the modernity the U.S. represents. The idea of America is the idea of modernity; the U.S. is the political embodiment and projection of the principles underlying modernity. Osama bin Laden has something in common with the ragtag bands of anarchists and radical environmentalists who riot in the streets when representatives of the World Trade Organization meet.

I would further like to suggest that the debate over globalization has roots that go much deeper than current events, and are traceable at least as far back as the conservative and romantic reactions against the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. But rather than rehearse the entire history of this very interesting debate, I would like to examine how it has played itself out in the twentieth century, where it occupied the minds of many of the century's most profound political thinkers, among them Carl Schmitt, Alexandre Kojeve, Martin Heidegger, and Leo Strauss. It is by examining the arguments and debates of these men, thinking and writing in the period (roughly) from 1920 to 1970, that we can come to grips at the deepest philosophical level with the issues that occupy us today.

TEXTS:

Please purchase the following books:

Paul Cantor, Gilligan Unbound
John Gray, Enlightenment's Wake
Alexandre Kojeve, Introduction to the Reading of Hegel
Leo Strauss, On Tyranny
Leo Strauss, Natural Right and History
Carl Schmitt, The Concept of the Political
Martin Heidegger, The Question Concerning Technology

Please also purchase one of the following books:

Catherine Zuckert, Postmodern Platos
Mark Lilla, The Reckless Mind: Intellectuals in Politics
Heinrich Meier, Carl Schmitt and Leo Strauss: The Hidden Dialogue
Heinrich Meier, The Lesson of Carl Schmitt

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:

Three 5-7 page papers………………………………………..20% each
Due:
Tuesday, February 12
Tuesday, March 12
Tuesday, April 16
Presentation……………………………………………………10%
Due:
tba
Participation……………………………………………………10%
Final Examination……………………………………………...20%
Due:
Tuesday, May 7

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND REGULATIONS:

In accordance with Oglethorpe's Honor Code, all the work you hand in must be pledged: "I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid in completing this assignment." For the purposes of this course, "unauthorized aid" consists in plagiarism, which (as "The 'O' Boo" states) "includes representing someone else's words, ideas,...or original research as one's own and, in general, failing to footnote or otherwise acknowledge the source of such work." If in completing an assignment you consult secondary sources, be sure to cite them properly. Unless we announce otherwise, you may discuss any assignment with your colleagues, but the work you submit must be your own. You may find the complete text of the Honor Code in "The 'O' Book."

Attendance is mandatory. I reserve the right to give the grade "FA" to students who regularly miss class.

I penalize late papers two points per weekday, up to a total of ten points, after which I will not accept them. We will not reschedule exams without a medical excuse. I will, however, be pleased to help you manage your academic schedules by granting extensions on papers if you request them one week in advance.

If for some reason you have to take an "Incomplete" in this course, you must arrange it with me before the end of the term. We must agree to a contract containing a schedule for the completion of the course requirements. You must then take the initiative in completing the work.

You may find the grading scale, as well as the policy governing the S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) option, on pp. 70-71 of the 2000-02 Oglethorpe University Bulletin.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF READING ASSIGNMENTS:

Week 1: Cantor, Introduction, chs. 2-4, Conclusion

Weeks 2, 3 Gray, chs. 1, 3, 6, 8-10

Weeks 4, 5 Kojeve

Weeks 6-9 Strauss

Weeks 10, 11 Schmitt

Weeks 12, 13 Heidegger