Origin
In 2003, two undergraduate student leaders from the respective Republican and Democratic groups approached Professor John Tomasi with a desire to engage in informed debate so as to articulate better their own views and understand better the positions of their intellectual opponents. As a member of the political theory subfield within the Political Science department, and as a philosopher by training, Tomasi noticed an opportunity for synergies across the philosophy and political science department. Faculty from other departments, notably Economics, History and Religious Studies, actively supported the initiative. Hence, the Political Theory Project was founded as an effort to provide intellectual and financial resources for student programs that allow a plurality of ideological and political viewpoints.