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Teresa M. Bejan

@tmbejan.bsky.social
8.7K followers 344 following 41 posts

Professor of Political Theory at Oxford & author of Mere Civility (Harvard 2017). Essays @ NYT, The Atlantic, New Statesman, Boston Review, WaPo, &c. Writing on equality.

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Reposted by Teresa M. Bejan
Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Do have you a political theory/philosophy book manuscript? Would you like a one-day workshop dedicated to it in Spring 2027? If so, Bristol is here for you, and as promised a while ago, here's the very short form you need to fill in between now and roughly 4 weeks time: forms.gle/uCvi7sMMT7kW...
forms.gle
The Bristol Political Philosophy Manuscript Workshop 2027
The Bristol Political Philosophy group will be hosting its first manuscript workshop in 2027. This will give scholars who are currently preparing a book manuscript a chance to engage in a day-long wor...
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Matt McManus @mattpolprof.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Very interesting stuff by @tmbejan.bsky.social
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Craig Walmsley @craigwalmsley.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Though I would note that the Reasons was both pro and con the toleration of Catholics (though obviously coming down rather heavier on the con - and then prompting the Essay on Toleration to elaborate as much).
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Craig Walmsley @craigwalmsley.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Very interesting framing of Locke on toleration - and its relevance to contemporary debates on liberalism by @tmbejan.bsky.social. #philsky #polsky
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Craig Walmsley @craigwalmsley.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Very interesting article - can't wait for Tim's volume On the Nature of Churches to flesh out Locke's views on tolerance and the established church in more detail.
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Craig Walmsley @craigwalmsley.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Verhoefstadt tweets are cool n'all. But it's when there's a question on University Challenge that you know you've hit the big time... www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqAT...
youtube.com
University Challenge - Christmas 2019, Episode 1 - Leeds University v Clare College, Cambridge
YouTube video by Dreaming of Paxman
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
I wrote about Locke, the liberal establishment, and the role of universities for Persuasion, here: open.substack.com/pub/persuasi... Come for Guy Verhoefstadt's Locke tweets, stay for the (unsung) significance of William Popple for so-called "Lockean" toleration...
open.substack.com
What Locke Knew About Elites
How liberals learned to stop worrying and love the establishment.
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
I wrote about Locke, the liberal establishment, and the role of universities for Persuasion, here: open.substack.com/pub/persuasi... Come for Guy Verhoefstadt's Locke tweets, stay for the (unsung) significance of William Popple for so-called "Lockean" toleration...
open.substack.com
What Locke Knew About Elites
How liberals learned to stop worrying and love the establishment.
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Jan Eijking @janeijking.com · 31/07/2026
Here’s a piece I wrote for @aeon.co on some of the themes of my book: aeon.co/essays/are-w... #HistIR
aeon.co
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Stuart Elden @stuartelden.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
David Armitage, Teresa M. Bejan, and Felix Waldmann eds. The Political Thought of John Locke: New Perspectives – Oxford University Press, July 2026 global.oup.com/academic/pro... @academic.oup.com @tmbejan.bsky.social
cover of book, black background with text in white, and painting of John Locke (old and thin, with long grey hair)
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EUI Department of History @eui-history.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
📢 Job vacancy - Chair in Intellectual History We welcome applications from scholars working across a broad range of fields, including: 💠 History of political theory, political economy 💠 Knowledge systems and IT 💠 Postcolonial and intersectional thought 💠 Humanist, post-human, and planetary history
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Craig Walmsley @craigwalmsley.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Excellent news from @tmbejan.bsky.social & @davidrarmitage.bsky.social (& Felix!) for the #JohnLocke scholars of the parish. #philsky #polsky #histsky #booksky
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Hugely excited to see our edited volume with OUP now out in the world! The Political Thought of John Locke: New Perspectives, co-edited with the indefatigable @davidrarmitage.bsky.social and Felix Waldmann. academic.oup.com/book/63006
academic.oup.com
The Political Thought of John Locke: New Perspectives
Abstract. The Political Thought of John Locke: New Perspectives brings together research essays by political theorists, historians of political thought, an
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British Journal of Political Science @bjpols.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
From May 2026 - Partisan (In)Tolerance and Affective Polarization - cup.org/4ud30Lm - James Tilley, @tmbejan.bsky.social & @sarahobolt.bsky.social #OpenAccess
BJPolS abstract from an academic paper discussing "partisan intolerance." It explores political tolerance, examining differences between bipartisan and out‑partisan interactions with political activities. It mentions experiments conducted in Britain, finding high levels of partisan intolerance.
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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Outstanding July 4th reflections from @tmbejan.bsky.social
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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
The Bicentennial is one of my earliest memories, and was a rare bright spot in the 70s. As a teenager I had a replica print of the Declaration on my wall. For years, my wife and I read the first section aloud at our 4th parties. Didn't expect to be where we are. www.libertyfund.org/250th/dissen...
libertyfund.org
When a Doctrine Becomes Destructive of These Ends
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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 04/07/2026
When the Declaration of Independence was written, the word “equal” had many different definitions. The expansiveness of the concept helps explain its endurance—but what happens next is up to us, Teresa M. Bejan argues:
bit.ly
The Strange History of the Word Equal
The expansiveness of the concept helps explain its endurance.
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Chris Brooke @chrisbrooke.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Teresa is so splendid. #hats
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
And now free to read (I think?) at the link: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
All Men Are Created Equal, but What Does "Equal" Mean?
The expansiveness of the concept helps explain its endurance.
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
And now free to read (I think?) at the link: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
All Men Are Created Equal, but What Does "Equal" Mean?
The expansiveness of the concept helps explain its endurance.
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
My essay on what it means to be “equal”—before and after the Declaration of Independence—now out in The Atlantic! www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0... Drawing on my forthcoming book for Harvard University Press.
theatlantic.com
The Strange History of the Word Equal
The expansiveness of the concept helps explain its endurance.
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
My essay on what it means to be “equal”—before and after the Declaration of Independence—now out in The Atlantic! www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0... Drawing on my forthcoming book for Harvard University Press.
theatlantic.com
The Strange History of the Word Equal
The expansiveness of the concept helps explain its endurance.
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Thank you, Musa!
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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Final corrected version now published open-access Jacob T. Levy. 2026. Conceptualizing Academic Freedom. Annual Review Political Science. 29:57-72. www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
annualreviews.org
Conceptualizing Academic Freedom
Academic freedom is an unusual and complex set of norms and practices. It arises out of the combination of the corporate self-governance of medieval universities and the spirit of disciplinary scienti...
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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Very happy to promote this public philosophy collaboration by my newish & most excellent colleague Ana Milioni (who is not on social media!): www.the-pamphlet.com Also of interest 2 e.g @rebeccabuxton.bsky.social @wiglet1981.bsky.social @tmbejan.bsky.social @enzoreds.bsky.social @jowolff.bsky.social
the-pamphlet.com
The Pamphlet
The Pamphlet is philosophy's most accessible magazine.  Here at the Pamphlet, we believe everyone can learn and be inspired by philosophy, regardless of their education. That's why we’ve made it our ...
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Congratulations, Geertje!
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
An honor and a pleasure to engage with such an excellent group of political theorists and philosophers—thanks for having me!
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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Delighted to say that we're hosting @tmbejan.bsky.social here in Bristol this week. If you're interested in coming along to her talk at 2pm on June 9th (connected to this book: www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...) then just send me an email. @rebeccabuxton.bsky.social @wiglet1981.bsky.social
hup.harvard.edu
First Among Equals — Harvard University Press
An incisive account of how equality transformed from an abstract ideal into a concrete social and political vision, thanks to seventeenth-century English dissidents like the Levellers and the politica...
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Ted Vallance @tedvallance.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
I had the pleasure of joining Clare Jackson and Teresa Bejan to talk about the Levellers on In Our Time. The episode will be out this Thursday. Profs Bejan and Jackson offered expert insight. I, at least, was wearing an appropriate t-shirt: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Levellers
The political movement during the English Civil War committed to a new idea of equality.
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Cambridge University History Faculty @camhistory.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
📢 Clare Jackson, Hon Professor of Early Modern History @cam.ac.uk on BBCRadio4 InOurTime with @tmbejan.bsky.social & @tedvallance.bsky.social. They discuss the Levellers, political radicals who pioneered petitions and pamphlets to reimagine the English constitution. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Levellers
The political movement during the English Civil War committed to a new idea of equality.
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Prof Bob Davis @rokewood.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
This is a vintage episode of BBCRadio4 BBCInOurTime on a vital topic, with Misha Glenny in discussion with @tmbejan.bsky.social, @tedvallance.bsky.social & Clare Jackson. Hear them all on the Levellers www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Levellers
The political movement during the English Civil War committed to a new idea of equality.
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
It was a dream come true to contribute to the latest episode of In Our Time, on the Levellers, with Clare Jackson and Ted Vallance. Have a listen!
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
It was a dream come true to contribute to the latest episode of In Our Time, on the Levellers, with Clare Jackson and Ted Vallance. Have a listen!
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Simon Tillotson @simontillotson.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Coming up at 9 in the UK and around the globe on BBC.com we have the so-called Levellers who, back in the 17th century, called for more equal rights and helped start a long tradition of dissent www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Levellers
The political movement during the English Civil War committed to a new idea of equality.
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Andrew Sabl @andysabl.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
By me, just out in the APSR. 🙂
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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
I feel entitled to plug an ongoing project here... www.mcgill.ca/rgcs/ptps
mcgill.ca
Political Theory In/ And/ As Political Science
Political theory in/ and/ as political science "Political theory in/ and/ as political science" began as an international conference in 2018 held at McGill, co-organized by Jacob Levy (McGill), Josiah...
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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
... thankfully I think things are going in the right direction, as shown by this marvellous article, but also collections like this: academic.oup.com/book/62269
academic.oup.com
Why Political Theory Needs Social Science
Abstract. Political theory promises guidance about how we ought to organize our political lives. For example, how do we fairly share resources in contexts
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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
V. happy to see these last 2 posts from @tmbejan.bsky.social and @sarahobolt.bsky.social! Have spent too much time trying to convince theorists of the value of empirics, often pushing back against the line that 'we don't care what people actually think or do... only what they SHOULD think or do'...
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Sara Hobolt @sarahobolt.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
And us empirical political scientists have a lot to learn from political theorists!
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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
This is a fascinating blend of empirical & normative work. Definitely of wide interest across e.g. @ecpr-nptmethods.bsky.social inc. e.g. @sunelaegaard.bsky.social @marinavahter.bsky.social @edmundhandby.bsky.social. Will ask @tmbejan.bsky.social more about it when hosting her in Bristol in June!
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Thanks, Jonathan, I feel strongly that theorists have a lot to learn from engaging with our empirical colleagues!
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Sara Hobolt @sarahobolt.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
📣 New publication 📣 Delighted to see my article with the brilliant Teresa Bejan and James Tilley now out in the BJPolS We develop and test the concept of 'partisan intolerance' - and find high levels of intolerance in Britain, associated with affective polarisation 👇
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David Lay Williams @laywilliams.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
1) Today is the official paperback release of my @princetonupress.bsky.social book, The Greatest of All Plagues: How Economic Inequality Shaped Political Thought from Plato to Marx. It traces how several canonical thinkers have encountered inequality in developing their political theory.
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Paul Crider @paulcrider.liberalcurrents.com · 31/03/2026
🚨Public Service Announcement🚨 @tmbejan.bsky.social's long-awaited (by me) First Among Equals: Visions of Equality Before Egalitarianism has a publication date of 10.20.2026.
hup.harvard.edu
First Among Equals — Harvard University Press
An incisive account of how equality transformed from an abstract ideal into a concrete social and political vision, thanks to seventeenth-century English dissidents like the Levellers and the politica...
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London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 31/03/2026
‘Elizabeth Scott-Baumann's chosen poets were already engaged, she argues, in critical debates about literary style. Early modern women “theorised literature as much as men did”. Katie Ebner-Landy on early modern women’s writing. ’www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Katie Ebner-Landy · Gender Wonder: Early Modern Women’s Writing
Was there such a thing as a female style in early modern England? For several authors, valorising originality meant...
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London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 26/03/2026
‘Everyone bought things at market. But most grew at least some of their own food, gathered their own wool and made their own clothes. They had a much more direct stake in the means of production.’ @tomlukejohnson.bsky.social on early modern work. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Tom Johnson · Save My Beer: Industrious Revolution
Labour was once an organic part of the peasant household, done in the interest of subsistence. Certainly many people in...
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Research Group on Constitutional Studies, McGill University @rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
www.mcgill.ca/rgcs/ptps/20... Pls share & circulate to junior political theorists & scientists. CFP Political Theory In/And/As Political Science (PTPS) panels at the annual meeting of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Society (PPE). Deadline April 10. #poliski #poltheory
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Dan Conway @magisterconway.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
So, um... this is bad. Really bad. I looked at the letters that were translated by the AI, and the very first one I found was almost entirely hallucination. Thread:
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I’m delighted to be delivering the 9th annual Adams Lecture in the Public Humanities at UNC on April 17th, “First Among Equals: Redeeming Equality as a Political Ideal.” Details at the link: philosophy.unc.edu/event/the-ni...
philosophy.unc.edu
The Ninth Annual Adams Symposium for the Public Humanities - Department of Philosophy
First Among Equals: Redeeming Equality as a Political Ideal Featuring Dr. Teresa Bejan Dr. Teresa Bejan will discuss themes from her forthcoming book, First Among Equals, which explores equality as a ...
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Teresa M. Bejan @tmbejan.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I’m delighted to be delivering the 9th annual Adams Lecture in the Public Humanities at UNC on April 17th, “First Among Equals: Redeeming Equality as a Political Ideal.” Details at the link: philosophy.unc.edu/event/the-ni...
philosophy.unc.edu
The Ninth Annual Adams Symposium for the Public Humanities - Department of Philosophy
First Among Equals: Redeeming Equality as a Political Ideal Featuring Dr. Teresa Bejan Dr. Teresa Bejan will discuss themes from her forthcoming book, First Among Equals, which explores equality as a ...
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