Family in Western Political Thought

The family is simultaneously under attack and yet considered important by almost all political leaders today. The family is both politically pivotal and politically vulnerable. Why is this? How have political thinkers understood the relationship between politics and the household? What constructive role does the family play in the shaping of political life? Rather than focusing on the sociological, psychological, or economic evidence about the importance of the family, this lecture will explore the ways that political thinkers across Western history have understood the relationship between the family and political society. In this way, it will aim to provide fresh answers to the question of why the family matters for politics today.

Participants:
-Dr. Simon P. Kennedy, Visiting Fellow at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium and a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland
-John O’Sullivan, President, Danube Institute

Simon P. Kennedy is an intellectual historian and has a PhD from the University of Queensland. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium and a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland. His research focuses on the intersections between law, political ideas, and religion.

Date: 21 April 2023, 10.30 a.m.
Venue: Lónyay-Hatvany Villa- 1. Csónak str., 1015 Budapest 
(Entrance: Aranybástya - The Golden Bastion Restaurant)

Participation in the event is free, but registration is required, which can be done by email at events@danubeinstitute.hu or by clicking on the R.S.V.P. button: