John Milton isn't just the author of Paradise Lost! Raeffe Gibson makes a guest appearance to discuss his role in the English Civil War.By Political Theory 101

From Paper Plates to Paper Bags, from kids named Cody to kids named Zack, from Pogs to Pigs, Russia to Reptiles, Robin Hood to Robin Williams the 90s sure were a rich decade. So much so it garners yet another revisiting of what really was big in the 90s…By Monsters in the Morning

#267 - Beverly Green: Tacos, Creativity, Beans, Biology, Questions and Fragments of Possible Answers.By Monsters in the Morning

Alex and Benjamin discuss the work of Michael Pettis, putting him in conversation with older theorists of imperialism like J.A. Hobson and Vladimir Lenin.By Political Theory 101

Every once in a while it’s best to go back to bay sacks. You know what I mean… Those warm cozy sacks of hay that sit by the bay waiting to be visited by weary nomads and those astray… For thousands of years bay sacks have been a comforting sight, a welcoming softness consisting of a bright billowing blanket-like sack that yearn for a visit from non…

Alex and Benjamin discuss Huntington's early emphasis on centralization and institutions, his turn toward civilizational thinking, and the position of religion - and particularly Catholicism - in his account.By Political Theory 101

Alex and Benjamin explore the history of political thought from the point of view of Bastiat - who threw many ancient and enlightenment thinkers together into the basket of plunderers. If we think we come from God whole and complete, the need for civic education falls away...By Political Theory 101

I’m sure you no doubt have had your mead fill. Unfortunately theres simply too much information, content, context, history, texture, juicy details, creamy middles, savory crusts, nutty back ends, fruity fronts and mouthwatering mouth feels for this Mead Saga to end. So as they say in the Land of Mead: Let’s make some “pour” decisions!…

Mead is a honey wine. It’s made from fermenting honey. Ain’t that something? Some enjoy this drink. So much so that they have free standing buildings dedicated to to celebrating its creation. They also drink it there and talk about how it tastes, its level of dryness, fruitiness, stink, and how the subtle pine notes dance upon the tongue and throat…

Alex and Benjamin discuss Terry Eagleton's work, focusing on interactions between religion and Marxism in the context of the "end of history" - the 1990s and beyond.By Political Theory 101

Alex and Benjamin discuss the Roman persecution of the Christians - why the Romans did it, how the Christians responded to it, and the ways the experience shaped Christian political thought going forward.By Political Theory 101

MY birthday is very important. It’s probably the most important day of the year, right next to Christmas and Memorial Day. Simply put, Its my most favorite day EVER! I love love love it. I really do. Everyone who knows me understands this and respects the severity of the universal acknowledgment of extreme importance MY DAY deserves. And why wouldn…

We explore the methodological contributions of the late historian of political thought, John Pocock. We talk about the role of language and context in interpreting texts, distinctions between "history" and "philosophy," and the implications of these methodological shifts for the political economy of the university.…

The 90s… Ten years of fun, family, french fries, and freedom… A decade of TV shows, tap dancing, tag and tang… 521 weeks of Wendys, wishing wells, Walters and wonder… 120 months of memories, muppets, mittens and mint… 3652 days of doorbells, dips, dip shits and dung… What a time to be alive…?By Monsters in the Morning

Alex and Benjamin explore post-political themes in Haruki Murakami's rat tetralogy.By Political Theory 101

With so much information out there its hard to compute what’s worth investigating and what to toss in the old trash heap. A good rule of thumb is to do a broad general search online where you will no doubt be inundated with a cornucopia of factoids and expertise first hand accounts that will for sure tickle your underbelly. After a few hours of min…

Alex and Benjamin delve into Habermas' notions of the public sphere, legitimacy, and communication. They also discuss postmetaphysical thinking.By Political Theory 101

Alex and Benjamin talk about 18th century German philosopher Christian Wolff. Wolff suggested that there are reasons behind our motivations. Even a soldier who deserts his post is motivated to desert for a reason. Does that mean that rebels are motivated to rebel for reasons? And when two states are motivated to war with one another, does that mean…

Raising and nurturing a dog is said to be the most important job/life event one will ever embark upon in their short journey on this earth. From late night walks to the dog park to get one last sniff of a favorite bush, to early morning piles of feces on the threshold. There truly is no grater joy then dressing your pup in its favorite rain coat an…

Christmas time can bring about a jubilee of emotions. Where some enjoy the scents and sounds of cookies being baked in Nana’s kitchen, other may find the experience difficult and nauseating. While most love standing in long lines, tasting the many tints and textures offered by kraut carts, and sipping on $12 hot cocoas all compliments of the local …

This whole sports watching and analyzing thing can get quite exhausting. Especially when your in-depth investigation and expert commentary are shouted into a vacuum, a cosmic void, a barren tundra, a sunken ship taken over by the sea and its many mysteries, an elderly man’s sterile garage where a mint condition ‘96 Ford Taurus may or may not be par…

Alex and Benjamin talk about the explosion of monasteries in late antiquity. As it turns out, withdrawing from politics can be yet another way of trying to do politics.By Political Theory 101

Legend has it that the one known only as “The Keeper” shall inherit the cans. And as it has been foretold The Keeper shall: “Salvage, store, and keep safe” thy bounties. Today, tomorrow, and until thou is called upon to “return they from hence they came”. Until authorized: “thy Keeper shall continue to keep, even as thy spoils spoil, seals become u…

Alex and Benjamin explore a debate G.K. Chesterton and George Bernard Shaw had a century ago concerning political economy, then we dive into their political writings.By Political Theory 101

Happy Halloween Everyone! Seriously we hope you are smiling throughout the day. Really smiling and beaming with joy. Glowing really! We know that can be hard. So to help you celebrate this most celebrated and enjoyed of the holiday celebrations of fun-fun we a MITM pulled all our available funds to present to you a VERY SPECIAL episode chock full f…

Alex and Benjamin discuss Laclau's socialist strategy, populism, empty signifiers, and the relationship between Laclau's socialism and Marxism.By Political Theory 101

Alex and Benjamin discuss Jean-François Lyotard's critique of Marxism, his "evil book," intersections between politics, art, and science, and how Lyotard answered the charge of relativism.By Political Theory 101

Most doctors agree that your health is very important. Of course you can disagree, however, it’s hard to doubt the very notion when looking at the raw data and examining the fresh numbers that believe it or not you health IS a major factor when determining if your body is in good working order. It can be surprising and a tough pill to swallow and t…

Alex and Benjamin explore the agonistic political thought of Deleuze and Guattari, focusing especially on their ideas about territory, change, and flow.By Political Theory 101

Mike and Charley are back bringing you all kinds of shit for you to listen to. Put your ear near the speaker and let the crap envelop your concha while leaving a fresh coat of audio feces all over your large bowl shaped helix. Yep it’s a shit show for the ages, with plenty of burning, blasting, loud, and painful tones ready and waiting to be dumped…

Alex and Benjamin kick off a series on French political thought in the second half of the 20th century with an episode on ideology and power.By Political Theory 101

‘Twas once a time when we had the time to sit. We’d sit on a wooden chair and gaze longingly out our kitchen window. We’d sit on an old bucket and sing in 3 part harmony with our fellow neighbors. Yes, we would sit and stare and stare sit, and sit in shit and shit and sit. It truly was a beautiful era and a time we so desperately lack today. So tak…

Alex and Benjamin bring on Doug Lain to talk about free speech in the 21st century. Doug offers his take on why free speech matters, and we discuss the political economy of speech and the role the state and civil society play in shaping public discussion. They also discuss his critique of Noam Chomsky and his interest in the work of Guy Debord.…

Feces. For decades scientists have been trying to duplicate the subtle textures, scents, and overall durability of one of the worlds’ most plentiful organic substances. However, such a feat has illuded some of this century’s most brilliant minds, as failure after failure had rendered the process near impossible. That all changed with the developmen…

Alex and Benjamin discuss Nicole Oresme, a 14th century French bishop who took an interest in political economy. An advocate for limited monarchy, Oresme argued against the right of king to debase the currency and even to raise taxes. Yet, at the same time, he argued for major redistribution of wealth within the church. These seemingly conflicting …

Today on the Building Fence podcast “Where We Bridge the Gap”. Ben speaks with Rodney Curtin, Cambridge neuroscience expert and leading scholar on sustainable energy. Rodney is also a leading thinker and notable entity on all things AI, computer interfaces and Mediterranean cuisine. Today’s discussion includes: AI, the significance of Beluga Whales…

Drawing on the work of G.E.M. de Ste. Croix, Peter Temin, and Walter Scheidel, Alex and Benjamin dig into the economy of the Roman Empire. They explore the role of markets, the level of social mobility, whether a core/periphery model applies, and the influence of contemporary concerns on Roman historiography.…

We discuss Mou Zongsan's effort to combine Confucianism with other traditions, his response to Kant, the line he draws between morality and politics, and his qualified embrace of democracy.By Political Theory 101

Tackling the hard questions of the day while providing in debt quasi answers within a meandering complex labyrinth of words and guttural toots. Monsters in the Morning: After Dark is an open source, free wisdom, public service given to the world as a gift by Manic Mike and Touchdown Charley. Any and all donations are welcomed and celebrated.…

To live in Pompeii was to live a life of happiness, joy, fruit, seawater, rocks, sand, sex, milk, mush… but also fear. For those in Pompeii knew there was an evil lurking in the sky, towering above them, waiting to spew its hot and juicy inner core all over the place. Twas only a matter of time till the grand “Party in Pompeii” would come to an end…

Alex and Benjamin discuss the state of Confucianism during the Ming Dynasty. Should "li" be understood as "principle" or "pattern"? What is the relationship between li and chi? While some theorists, like Zhu Xi, hold that studying the classics can help clear up your chi, Wang Yangming argues that the virtues are much easier to acquire, because for …

Alex and Benjamin discuss one is on Lord Shang, a Chinese political theorist and minister associated with the development of legalism. Unlike most ancient political theorists, Shang Yang denies the possibility of a politics based on virtue. He therefore denies the possibility that the state can be ruled by a virtuous elite. But this does not lead h…

One day it just hit me. I got up on a cool September morning, gazed upon the dewy grass, and knew right there and then that I belonged on a stage. Have I ever performed? No. Did I have any talent? No. Had I ever expressed in any way some sort of sign or signal, either verbal or nonverbal, to my loved ones, or even to myself, that I had an urge to e…

Just like the old saying goes: “March comes in like a lion, and out… like a… lion?” How true it is. How true it really is... But luckily as the cold wind turns to a quiet breeze, as the frost on our doorknob transforms from a chilly handshake to a dewing hello, we rejoice in the transformation of not only the season but of ourselves. Alas, rise up …

Alex and Benjamin discuss The Ethics of Voting (Princeton UP, 2011) by Jason Brennan, a contemporary political philosopher with a right-libertarian bent. They explore the consequences of thinking about voting from the standpoint of the individual. They talk about "harm reduction," and explore the many reasons it is hard to predict the consequences …

Traditions come and traditions go. But those that last the test of time are special, precious, sacred…important. We hold these traditions close, we hug them and love them and look forward to their perennial arrival with much anticipation and glee. So it’s only natural to celebrate these traditions throughly and intensely. It’s what makes them so mu…

Alex and Benjamin dive into the thought of Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos. Ruler of a rump state that increasingly lacked the capacity to defend its territory, Manuel focused on trying to discern the things emperors could control from the things they couldn't. He tarries with some of the most frustrating issues in Christian ethics, all in …

Its a dog eat dog world out there. Everywhere you go someones trying to strap a short lease on you and strangle your emotions. Leading your ass along as they watch you urinate in the nude. Real nasty like that. Yelling every time you happen to bark at a car or the door bell. Lambasting you for eating out of your trash can or enjoying the taste of y…

‘Tis a busy time to be a sports fan, and an even busier time to be a sports fanatic! So many sports to choose from, yet so little time to watch each and every match one wishes they could… What to do…? Well for starters you may need to reevaluate how you spend you time. If you spend most of your time at work earning a good wage to support your famil…

Alex and Benjamin explore the twilight of Athenian democracy, in which Aeschines and Demosthenes struggle viciously against one another as the Macedonian shadow looms.By Political Theory 101