Political Theory Teacher Resources

Friedrich Hayek is known for his theories on the connection between economics and political science—and the way they influence each other. An informative video describes Hayek's political philosophy and his views on the importance of a...

Every political theory needs a devil's advocate. Discussing Karl Marx with your classroom creates a healthy debate about the pros and cons of the capitalistic system and government. Last in a series of 13, the video includes primary...

Beauty and Capitalism—not two words you usually see together. John Ruskin, a prominent political thinker definitely did not think so. Teach pupils about the political theory behind aesthetics and why some countries may value beauty over...

Obedience and Thomas Hobbes: two peas in a pod. Learners hear about these two concepts and more of Hobbes' political theory in an informative video. A variety of primary resources, drawings, and visual aids help convey the information.

Are politicians destined to be corrupt, or is there hope for morality in the political world? Use the video to teach pupils Rousseau's theories behind corruption in Western civilization. The visuals help to further enhance understanding.

Can capitalism have virtue? Adam Smith thinks so! The 12th video in a series of 13 discusses Smith's political and economic views. Pupils discover these concepts and more through primary source photographs and examples that relate to...

Your high schoolers may be tabula rasa about political theory until they learn about John Locke. Use a thought-provoking video to teach them about his philosophies on the natural rights of all humans, religious tolerance, and of course,...

An item that lasts forever becomes truly priceless. The video teaches about the political theories pondered by William Morris. Featuring primary sources, visual aids, and an interesting narrative, scholars are both entertained and...

The right to vote and freedom of expression are democratic principles that fall under the study of political science. A handout describes writing assignments that are common in political science college classes and gives tips and...

Do the words politician and moral go together? Machiavelli argues that an effective politician does not always act moral. Learners take an in-depth look at his theories about leaders by watching a video about government. To keep your...

Pretty much everyone has heard the phrase life is unfair. A theory by John Rawls, a famous political theorist, as to why this occurs in government and society presents itself. Pupils watch his theory through primary resource photographs...

Have you ever wondered if those in power actually consider the interests of their constituents? The 42nd video clip in a 50-part series on the United States government and politics introduces the concept of special interest groups....

Did you know that sometimes hermits come up with some of the most influential political ideas? The 10th video in a series of 13 covers Henry David Thoreau, a highly influential man who authored Civil Disobedience and lived a quiet,...

Justitia, the Roman symbol of justice, is traditionally pictured as blindfolded, holding a sword in one hand and a balance scale in the other to represent that idea that justice should be independent of wealth, power, or status. But how...

Michael Paterson-Carver creates art that expresses political concepts, allegory, and activism. Learners will examine several of his pieces and his perspective. Then they create an original piece that conveys a message.

Scholars analyze a propaganda poster against communism. The resource uses the poster to examine the domino theory and containment policies used by the United States to stop the spread of communism in Vietnam. Scholars work in pairs or...

Kenneth Waltz's 1979 book An Introduction of International Politics used game theory and rational calculation to discuss international relations. Learn more about the ways states rely on trust to interact with each other, and how large...

Why do people continue to do things they know are harmful? A short video analysis of Leon Festinger's A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance discusses the conflict between held beliefs and contradictory information, and the lengths that...

Why was Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War so influential in his time, as well as in modern politics? Learn about the distinctive features of the text, including its lack of adherence to divine influence, and the details of...

In the world of politics, access to resources often determines who holds the power. A video summary of Who Governs? by Robert Dahl shares Dahl's theories about political power and influence based on his study of a local community. The...

Long live the king! A video summary of The King's Two Bodies by Ernst Kantorowicz discusses political theology during the medieval period and how body politics could survive the body natural. The video uses illustrations and clear...

Could geography really be the most logical explanation for the success rate of any given population? Jared Diamond makes his anthropological contention in his 1997 publication Guns, Germs, and Steel. A short explores his main points and...

Can competing biological theories both be correct? Explore the two theories many scientists believed were opposing in a Crash Course History of Science video. The narrator covers both Darwin's and Mendel's genetics theories, the...

Teenagers are the first to agree that they are the frontrunners in popular culture. But how much of their image is constructed by individualism, and how much of it have they bought from capitalistic sources? Roland...