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Political Philosophy Political Philosophy The development of modern The development of modern ideologies ideologies
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Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Jan 15, 2016

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Page 1: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Political PhilosophyPolitical Philosophy

The development of The development of modern ideologiesmodern ideologies

Page 2: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Types of normative questionsTypes of normative questionsasked by political theoriesasked by political theories

What purpose should government serve? What purpose should government serve? Equality? Justice? Security?Equality? Justice? Security?

How should governments be organized? How should governments be organized? To advance their power? To limit their To advance their power? To limit their power?power?

Should they help citizens lead ethical Should they help citizens lead ethical lives? Can a state be ethical if its citizenry lives? Can a state be ethical if its citizenry is not?is not?

Page 3: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Plato’s allegory of the cavePlato’s allegory of the cave

. People in the cave believe they are free, . People in the cave believe they are free, but they don’t see the reality of their but they don’t see the reality of their intellectual slavery. All they do is watch intellectual slavery. All they do is watch shadows cast by a hidden fire in the cave, shadows cast by a hidden fire in the cave, thinking that the shadows are reality. thinking that the shadows are reality. They are passive and accepting. They They are passive and accepting. They never turn around, never ask questions. never turn around, never ask questions. They remain completely unaware of how They remain completely unaware of how blind & shackled they are. blind & shackled they are.

Page 4: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Plato’s allegory of the Plato’s allegory of the cavecave

Who does Plato Who does Plato mean when he mean when he writes about the writes about the single enlightened single enlightened person who person who stands up and stands up and dares to go dares to go outside to seek outside to seek the truth? the truth?

Page 5: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The allegory of the cave, continuedThe allegory of the cave, continuedSocrates, Plato’s teacher. Socrates, Plato’s teacher.

His eyes adjust to the light and see how wonderful the His eyes adjust to the light and see how wonderful the world is beyond the cave. But instead of staying, he world is beyond the cave. But instead of staying, he decides to return to the others in the cave, to free them decides to return to the others in the cave, to free them as well.as well.

Page 6: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The allegory of the cave, continuedThe allegory of the cave, continued

What happens when he returns to What happens when he returns to tell others in the cave about the tell others in the cave about the

truth?truth?

Page 7: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The allegory of the cave, continuedThe allegory of the cave, continued

The prisoners in the The prisoners in the cave think he’s mad and cave think he’s mad and dangerous; if he persists dangerous; if he persists in talking nonsense, he’ll in talking nonsense, he’ll be killed. be killed.

Socrates was sentenced Socrates was sentenced to death about 400 B.C. to death about 400 B.C. for “corrupting youth” for “corrupting youth” with his teachings. with his teachings.

Page 8: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The allegory of the cave, continuedThe allegory of the cave, continued

In other words, new ideas In other words, new ideas are dangerous, even are dangerous, even when they are the truth. when they are the truth. We like our comfortable We like our comfortable illusions. illusions.

Political thinkers on the Political thinkers on the left and right are criticized left and right are criticized and even ridiculed for and even ridiculed for their points of view.their points of view.

Page 9: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Thomas More’s Utopia (1516)Thomas More’s Utopia (1516)

1.1. Question = What would a perfect polity Question = What would a perfect polity look like?look like?

2.2. Answer = Democratic, orderly Answer = Democratic, orderly communismcommunism

3.3. Answer is naturalistic (but based on Answer is naturalistic (but based on reason, not God’s law) and retains focus reason, not God’s law) and retains focus on agent-centered morality (good people on agent-centered morality (good people key to good society)key to good society)

Page 10: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The Politics of More’s UtopiaThe Politics of More’s Utopia

What is good governance? Government What is good governance? Government by the most highly educated, who will by the most highly educated, who will teach the others. Criminals become teach the others. Criminals become slaves to aid others, weighed down by slaves to aid others, weighed down by chains of gold. Work is compulsory, but chains of gold. Work is compulsory, but health care and other essentials are free health care and other essentials are free from the government.from the government.

Page 11: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

How can we keep leaders from doing How can we keep leaders from doing the wrong thing?the wrong thing?

Leadership is democratic, although the Leadership is democratic, although the people choose the best-educated and people choose the best-educated and smartest people to lead them. smartest people to lead them. Government has little real power over Government has little real power over everyday life because citizens are everyday life because citizens are virtuous.virtuous.

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What are the duties of a good citizen?What are the duties of a good citizen?

Good citizens share everything with each Good citizens share everything with each other, other, eagerlyeagerly work for the common good, work for the common good, and try to learn as much as possible.and try to learn as much as possible.

Page 13: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

UtopianismUtopianism

Many political Many political theories deal theories deal with attempts to with attempts to create a perfect create a perfect society, a society, a utopia.utopia.

Page 14: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

UtopianismUtopianism

The notion of an ideal political society was The notion of an ideal political society was often used by political writers to criticize often used by political writers to criticize the status quo.the status quo.

Dates from ancient Greeks, especially Dates from ancient Greeks, especially Plato writing Plato writing The RepublicThe Republic..

Also evident in 17Also evident in 17thth century English writing century English writing and in some contemporary science fiction.and in some contemporary science fiction.

Page 15: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

DystopiasDystopias

A nightmare distortion of a utopia.A nightmare distortion of a utopia.

It happens when leaders “impose” It happens when leaders “impose” perfection on imperfect human beings.perfection on imperfect human beings.

To create a perfect society, those leaders To create a perfect society, those leaders must exercise totalitarian control over all must exercise totalitarian control over all aspects of human life. aspects of human life.

Page 16: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Plato’s Plato’s The RepublicThe Republic

Plato’s ideas of a utopian society: Plato’s ideas of a utopian society:

Three natural groups: Three natural groups: Workers, farmers, shopkeepers & artisans Workers, farmers, shopkeepers & artisans

who provide material wealth for the who provide material wealth for the community. community.

Military units- called auxiliaries - who defend Military units- called auxiliaries - who defend it. it.

Guardians – who govern it, with Philosopher-Guardians – who govern it, with Philosopher-king at the topking at the top

Page 17: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Plato’s Plato’s The RepublicThe Republic

Plato’s ideas of a utopian society: Each Plato’s ideas of a utopian society: Each person performs the tasks for which he or person performs the tasks for which he or she is best suited. Injustice occurs when she is best suited. Injustice occurs when people act contrary to their nature. people act contrary to their nature. Ambition & competition unnatural.Ambition & competition unnatural.

Page 18: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The RepublicThe Republic, continued, continued

To maintain the utopia, Plato said these To maintain the utopia, Plato said these elements were necessary:elements were necessary:

Hierarchy of the best, rule by meritocracy. Hierarchy of the best, rule by meritocracy.

Dangerous and untrue ideas censored. Dangerous and untrue ideas censored.

The "Noble Lie." The "Noble Lie."

What is the Noble Lie?What is the Noble Lie?

Page 19: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The Noble LieThe Noble Lie

People will be convinced that their prior People will be convinced that their prior lives were just a dream, not reality.lives were just a dream, not reality.Further, they must be convinced that they Further, they must be convinced that they occupy their positions in society due to the occupy their positions in society due to the type of metal in their souls.type of metal in their souls.

Why noble? Because it ensures popular Why noble? Because it ensures popular acceptance (legitimacy) of the new acceptance (legitimacy) of the new republic ruled by the Philosopher King.republic ruled by the Philosopher King.

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The RepublicThe Republic, continued, continued

Is this a utopia or dystopia? Why?Is this a utopia or dystopia? Why?

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What purpose does What purpose does government serve?government serve?

Plato says justice and truth. Plato says justice and truth.

John Locke says protection of our natural rights.John Locke says protection of our natural rights.

Thomas Hobbes says security, to keep us from Thomas Hobbes says security, to keep us from killing each other.killing each other.

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Thomas Hobbes, Thomas Hobbes, LeviathanLeviathan

English political theorist from 1588 to 1679. English political theorist from 1588 to 1679. Humans are equal and capable of rational Humans are equal and capable of rational thought, but:thought, but:Human nature is aggressive and greedy, Human nature is aggressive and greedy, and human life is “brutish and short”. The and human life is “brutish and short”. The state of nature is ruthless and frightening. state of nature is ruthless and frightening. No advancement in science, arts, No advancement in science, arts, commerce, etc., is possible because commerce, etc., is possible because existence itself so fragile. existence itself so fragile.

Page 23: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The LeviathanThe Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes , Thomas Hobbes (1657)(1657)

According to Hobbes, people are the ultimate source According to Hobbes, people are the ultimate source of power, but they transfer sovereignty to the of power, but they transfer sovereignty to the monarch by implicit contract. The monarch’s power monarch by implicit contract. The monarch’s power is absolute, but he does not rule by divine right. is absolute, but he does not rule by divine right. Hobbes believed people’s most basic motivations are Hobbes believed people’s most basic motivations are greed, desire for power, and fear of others, and he greed, desire for power, and fear of others, and he argued that without an all-powerful sovereign to rule argued that without an all-powerful sovereign to rule them, people’s lives will be “poor, nasty, brutish, and them, people’s lives will be “poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” His book raised fundamental questions about short.” His book raised fundamental questions about human nature and limitations of political power and human nature and limitations of political power and influenced countries such as the U.S. to institute influenced countries such as the U.S. to institute checks and balances in their government.checks and balances in their government.

Page 24: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

Hobbes, continuedHobbes, continued

Government formed for the sole purpose Government formed for the sole purpose of providing of providing securitysecurity. Need a strong . Need a strong authoritarian government to control authoritarian government to control humans’ violent passions.humans’ violent passions.

Hobbesian world: might makes right and Hobbesian world: might makes right and the weak are victimized. Is this a the weak are victimized. Is this a pessimistic view of human nature?pessimistic view of human nature?

Page 25: Political Philosophy The development of modern ideologies.

The Social ContractThe Social Contract, Jean-Jacques , Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1762)Rousseau (1762)

Rousseau’s fundamental contributions to political Rousseau’s fundamental contributions to political theory were the concepts of the theory were the concepts of the general willgeneral will and and popular sovereigntypopular sovereignty. Unlike John Locke, who . Unlike John Locke, who believed that the social contract was between the believed that the social contract was between the people and the government, Rousseau viewed it as people and the government, Rousseau viewed it as a contract among the people themselves. Individual a contract among the people themselves. Individual wills are fused into a general will of society. This wills are fused into a general will of society. This common interest of society holds sovereign power. common interest of society holds sovereign power. In becoming part of the whole society, one accepts In becoming part of the whole society, one accepts the necessity to obey the general will, either the necessity to obey the general will, either willingly or by force. Rousseau’s writings made him willingly or by force. Rousseau’s writings made him the prophet of democracy and nationalism.the prophet of democracy and nationalism.

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On LibertyOn Liberty, John Stuart Mill (1859), John Stuart Mill (1859)

According to John Stuart Mill, humans are not According to John Stuart Mill, humans are not restricted by unchanging natural laws that create restricted by unchanging natural laws that create a dismal society, but can make use of a dismal society, but can make use of government to promote the greater good and government to promote the greater good and minimize the pain in society (principle of utility).minimize the pain in society (principle of utility). His revision of liberalism resulted in a softer, His revision of liberalism resulted in a softer, more humane liberalism which stressed more humane liberalism which stressed common good rather than individual economic common good rather than individual economic gain. His ideas inspired Britain, the United gain. His ideas inspired Britain, the United States, and later, other countries.States, and later, other countries.

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The Communist ManifestoThe Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx , Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (1848)and Friedrich Engels (1848)

The work provides a trenchant criticism of The work provides a trenchant criticism of capitalism where, Karl Marx says, social capitalism where, Karl Marx says, social organization never kept pace with developments organization never kept pace with developments in the means of production. Marx viewed history in the means of production. Marx viewed history as a series of conflicts between classes and as a series of conflicts between classes and predicted that the ruling middle class would be predicted that the ruling middle class would be overthrown by the exploited proletariat. The overthrown by the exploited proletariat. The result of the revolution would be a classless result of the revolution would be a classless society in which the chief means of production society in which the chief means of production would be publicly owned. This booklet provided would be publicly owned. This booklet provided the inspiration for the communist revolutions in the inspiration for the communist revolutions in the twentieth century.the twentieth century.

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Second Treatise on Civil GovernmentSecond Treatise on Civil Government, , John Locke (1690)John Locke (1690)

According to John Locke, people possess According to John Locke, people possess certain certain natural rightsnatural rights, such as the rights to , such as the rights to lifelife, , libertyliberty, and , and propertyproperty. In order to . In order to protect these rights, people establish a protect these rights, people establish a government resting on consent of the government resting on consent of the governed. If a government fails to protect governed. If a government fails to protect these rights, the people have a right to alter these rights, the people have a right to alter or abolish it. Locke’s theory was used to or abolish it. Locke’s theory was used to justify the American and French revolutions.justify the American and French revolutions.

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Should government promote Should government promote equality?equality?

Political theorists divided Political theorists divided on this.on this.

Many ideas have been Many ideas have been put forth by Aristotle, put forth by Aristotle, Jefferson, Tecumseh, Jefferson, Tecumseh, Chico Mendes, Friedrich Chico Mendes, Friedrich Nietzsche and Kurt Nietzsche and Kurt Vonnegut.Vonnegut.

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Equality of rightsEquality of rights

Thomas Jefferson’sThomas Jefferson’s view of view of equality: a natural human right equality: a natural human right which government is supposed to which government is supposed to secure.secure.

A government which fails to do A government which fails to do this forfeits its authority; the this forfeits its authority; the people then have a right of people then have a right of revolution.revolution.

Evident in Declaration of Evident in Declaration of Independence, a classical liberal Independence, a classical liberal document (document (John LockeJohn Locke) )

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Power: maximized or restrained?Power: maximized or restrained?

Should the government be free of Should the government be free of constraints? Yes, in order to act decisively constraints? Yes, in order to act decisively against threats, according to against threats, according to Niccolo Niccolo Machiavelli Machiavelli

Should government power be checked? Should government power be checked? Yes, to guard against tyranny, according Yes, to guard against tyranny, according to James Madison and the framers of the to James Madison and the framers of the U.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution

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Machiavelli’s Machiavelli’s The PrinceThe Prince

MachiavelliMachiavelli argued for a strong central argued for a strong central ruler who was amoral but would appear to ruler who was amoral but would appear to be moral; who would use moral and be moral; who would use moral and religious appeals to win support from the religious appeals to win support from the citizenry. Relying on the people’s love citizenry. Relying on the people’s love was too insecure, yet fostering their hate was too insecure, yet fostering their hate was dangerous. Better to have people was dangerous. Better to have people fear the ruler, because they can then be fear the ruler, because they can then be controlled. controlled.

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Should government promote ethical Should government promote ethical or moral citizenry?or moral citizenry?

In fact, they inevitably do. What are laws In fact, they inevitably do. What are laws against homicide and theft but statutory against homicide and theft but statutory expressions of our collective morality. expressions of our collective morality.

The question gets complex in more contested The question gets complex in more contested areas of morality.areas of morality.

John Stuart Mill was suspicious of societal & John Stuart Mill was suspicious of societal & governmental limits on individual behavior.governmental limits on individual behavior.

Fundamentalists are hostile to Mill’s tolerance of Fundamentalists are hostile to Mill’s tolerance of individual behavior.individual behavior.

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Views of the TalibanViews of the Taliban Governing authority in Afghanistan until U.S. military action in Governing authority in Afghanistan until U.S. military action in 2001. Still elements evident in parts of the country. 2001. Still elements evident in parts of the country. Taliban views:Taliban views: Religious dress for men & especially womenReligious dress for men & especially women Sex segregation (women banned from professions & Sex segregation (women banned from professions &

schools)schools) Opposed to modernity & western cultureOpposed to modernity & western culture Intolerant of all opposing viewpointsIntolerant of all opposing viewpoints

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Political ideologies seek to answer Political ideologies seek to answer these questionsthese questions

A A political ideologypolitical ideology is a set of organized is a set of organized and related ideas on how a political and related ideas on how a political system serves the public good. It’s a system serves the public good. It’s a simplified and sometimes distorted version simplified and sometimes distorted version of a political theory. of a political theory. Our ideology reflects our underlying values Our ideology reflects our underlying values and beliefs about government, the and beliefs about government, the community, & the individual. It drives our community, & the individual. It drives our policy preferences. policy preferences.

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