The Politics of Love and Friendship

What is the relationship between love, friendship, and politics? To what extent do the desires for care, affection, and companionship make themselves felt in political life? To what extent does politics require channeling or repressing them? This course examines prominent thinkers in the history of political thought who have dealt with these questions. By considering their compelling and contrasting perspectives on relationship between politics and the various forms of affection, love, and longing that are present in political communities, the course aims to equip students to think carefully about the proper place of love and friendship in politics today.