Political Theory and International Affairs: Hans J. Morgenthau on Aristotle’s The Politics

Hans J. Morgenthau is primarily considered a theorist of power politics, often associated with the six principles of realism and the national interest. This book sheds a new light on the theorist by digging into his archives to show his wide-ranging views on politics. These selected lectures demonstrate the broad set of political themes that were important to Morgenthau and his ability to engage classical political philosophy in a contemporary setting. In contrast to his reputation in the field of international relations, this book reveals a scholar who drew on Aristotelian insights to understand the politics of the Mafia in New York City, regime change in Latin America, and the foreign policy of the United States. Based on Aristotle’s The Politics, these lectures discuss a wide spectrum of history and theory in order to examine the realm of politics. This is the only published collection of seminars from Morgenthau, revealing him as both a teacher and a thinker. Topics include: Equality to Freedom; Ethics and Politics; Justice and Revolution.