On the afternoon of September 11, 2024, Mr. John Dunn, a Fellow of the British Academy, a Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Professor Emeritus at the University of Cambridge, Lifetime Research Fellow at King's College London, and one of the most renowned scholars in the history of political thought and a key representative of the Cambridge School, visited the School of Political Science and Public Administration of China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL). He delivered an engaging academic lecture titled “A Lifetime of Studying the History of Political Thought: Experiences and Lessons Learned.”
Drawing on decades of personal experiences in growth, teaching, and research, Professor Dunn vividly explained how he integrates his interest in contemporary political issues with studying the history of political thought through a series of anecdotes. He also reflected on how this study provides critical insights into the nature of modern Western democratic systems. He emphasized that the study of the history of political thought is far from a "cold" form of archaeology, but rather a continuous dialogue with great thinkers, which deepens our understanding of political issues.
The lecture was chaired by Professor Ren Hongsheng, Vice Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration. Professor Li Yun, Associate Professor He Tao, and Dr. He Jin from the Department of Political Science attended and participated in the discussion. Over 50 graduate and undergraduate students were present for the lecture.
