Dr. Amichai Magen
This course invites MA students to explore the foundational ideas, institutions, and debates relating to political freedom and responsibility in the 21st century. "Liberty and Responsibility" is the motto of Reichman University, but what does it actually mean to be a free and responsible citizen? What distinguishes between closed order and open order societies? And how should young leaders safeguard freedom and guard against old and new threats to liberal democracy? This course engages with these critical issues, which are essential for both national and international leadership. The course is broadly divided into three parts. In the first third of the semester we will examine key ideas about political freedom, such Benjamin Constant's famous distinction between ancient and modern liberty, and Isiah Berlin's equally famous two concepts of freedom - negative and positive. In the second part of the course we will explore the main characteristics of free and authoritarian societies and political systems. In this context we will talk about whether the state is an instrument of freedom or oppression, about nationalism and cosmopolitanism, equality, legitimacy, trust, democracy, rights, and the rule of law. Finally, in the last part of the semester, we will discuss new threats to human freedom, such as populism, identity politics, surveillance capitalism, and unaligned Artificial Intelligence. Throughout the course we will develop critical thinking, analytical, and debate skills.