Modern Jewish Politics: Liberalism, Socialism, Zionism

Do Jews have a political history? If so, what is the political history of “the Jews” over the course of the modern era? And, how did this political history influence the development of the Zionist movement and the state of Israel? These and other questions will be discussed over the course of a semester of discussions regarding the role of Jews in the three central  political ideologies of the modern era: liberalism, socialism and nationalism.  Through these discussions, we will attempt to gain a deeper understanding of “Modern Jewish Politics.” In addition to key events like the Revolutions of 1848, 1905 and 1917 and the events of 1948 and 1968 (in Eastern Europe), the seminar will also look at the cases of key individuals including, Marx and Pinsker, Trotsky and Dubnow, Herzl and Arendt.  Emphasis will be placed on critical readings, analytical thinking and academic writing.