UCSD Prof. of Chinese Studies Karl Gerth describes how the West should set a better example in a number of key public policy areas in its dealings with China, and how a close examination of China can help us improve as well.

Tufts University philosopher Brian Epstein describes how carefully developing a model of bureaucratic corruption can lead to identifying key factors that traditional social science models will necessarily overlook.

University of Michigan business school professor Andrew Hoffman relates how we are currently in the midst of an energy renaissance and muses on ways in which we might be able to make change happen even faster.

UC Berkeley historian Martin Jay contrasts the political domain with the scientific one, explaining that it’s important to recognize that the two are distinct, believing it would be a very bad idea to try to recreate politics in the...

UC Berkeley political scientist Mark Bevir describes how it is important for both political theorists and policymakers to recognize the difference between a description and an explanation.

Classicist and political theorist Josiah Ober (Stanford) argues that the success of classical Athenian democracy was consistently challenged by aristocratic elites such as Plato or Aristotle.

Chinese Studies specialist Karl Gerth (UCSD) examines the subtleties involved in what it means to be a democracy.

Political scientist Mark Bevir (UC Berkeley) highlights the trade-off we must make between a democratic process and fundamental rights.

Classicist and political theorist Josiah Ober (Stanford) looks back to Aristotle's view of human flourishing to appreciate the benefits of democracy.

Classicist and political theorist Josiah Ober (Stanford) describes his belief that classical Athens is a counter-example to the so-called “Iron Law of Oligarchy”.

Political scientist Mark Bevir (UC Berkeley) argues that we need to move beyond reification of abstract concepts and recognize intentionality.

Philosopher Brian Epstein (Tufts) uses the example of electoral control models to highlight problems with model-building.

Intellectual historian Quentin Skinner (QMUL) describes how, in the neo-Roman understanding of freedom, being free from arbitrary power necessitated participatory citizenship.

Political theorist John Dunn (Cambridge) describes how democracy originated as a political idea in contrast to monarchy and aristocracy.

UC Berkeley political theorist Mark Bevir describes his belief that, rather than passively describing the world around us, social science actually plays a key role in creating our social world.

Karl Gerth, Professor of History and Hsiu Chair in Chinese Studies at UC San Diego, relates the policy decisions behind the the rapid rise of the automobile in China.

Political scientist Mark Bevir (UC Berkeley) describes how too many people associate rigor primarily with methodology rather than basic thinking.

UCSD Chinese Studies specialist Karl Gerth ruminates on whether the Chinese have the same amount of tolerance for social inequality as Americans have and relates that many young Chinese feel that they don’t have access to good jobs even...

Political scientist Mark Bevir (UC Berkeley) examines the evolution of societal values, taking as an example our notions of sexuality.

Philosopher Brian Epstein (Tufts) describes how our models of bureaucratic corruption often fail to include initial selection processes.

Intellectual historian Quentin Skinner (QMUL), describes an example of his concern of the growing arbitrary power of the state.

Intellectual historian Quentin Skinner (QMUL), demonstrates how the classical libertarian argument against the state impinging on our personal freedom is incorrect.

Tufts University philosopher Brian Epstein describes how many people’s perspectives on the social world are prejudiced by a hidden assumption that he takes issue with, and uses the example of The Supreme Court to illustrate his point.

Classicist and political theorist Josiah Ober (Stanford) describes how the experience of the Vietnam War affected his research on classical Athens.