Politics Free Audio & Video

Listen to Thomas Paine's classic political pamphlet published in 1776, during the American Revolution. This hugely popular book argued for independence from British rule and persuaded many to believe that revolution was necessary.

During 1954-1955, John F. Kennedy, then a U.S. senator, chose eight of his historical colleagues to profile for their acts of astounding integrity in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote their Manifesto in December 1847, as a guide to the fundamental principles and practices of Communists.

The Silent Scream is a 1984 anti-abortion educational film directed by Jack Duane Dabner and narrated by Bernard Nathanson, an obstetrician, NARAL Pro-Choice America founder, and abortion provider turned pro-life activist, and produced in partnership with the National Right to Life Committee.

In this lecture esteemed professor Donald M.G. Sutherland sets out to define revolution and how the French Revolution has in turn changed the definition of revolution. He then examines a number of the proposed causes of the French Revolution that have been debated since then.

"I can therefore allow my mind, with the experience of a lifetime, to play over the problems which beset us on the morrow of our absolute victory in arms, and to try to make sure with what strength I have that what has been gained with so much sacrifice and suffering shall be preserved for the future glory and safety of mankind."

Listen to President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address which he delivered today, January 20, 2009. In this speech President Obama sets forth the challenges that America faces and his confidence in the American people to rise to meet these challenges.

At the Philadelphia Convention, delegates from twelve states (Rhode Island chose not to attend) met to amend the Articles of Confederation, but as the convention progressed it was decided to draft a new constitution which required only 9 of the 13 states to ratify it.

By the summer of 1776, the American Patriots had taken control over all the 13 colonies, and they were now effectively individual states establishing their own state constitutions that existed outside of British rule. On June 11, 1776 a committee met with the purpose of drafting a resolution to declare independence of Great Britain.

Here we're featuring the Yale course "Introduction to Political Philosophy" taught by Professor Steven B. Smith. This course introduces you to the major political works of Plato and Aristotle along with...