Political PhilosophyPolitical PhilosophyLit. DeicisionsLit. Deicisions

Mr. KottMr. Kott

Agenda…Agenda…

Political Quotes…Political Quotes… What is Political Philosophy?What is Political Philosophy? BRIEF History of Politics Medieval-BRIEF History of Politics Medieval-

CurrentCurrent Current Political PhilosophiesCurrent Political Philosophies U.S. Political PhilosophyU.S. Political Philosophy

What is Political Philosophy?What is Political Philosophy?

The study of questions about the city, The study of questions about the city, government, politics, liberty, justice, government, politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, laws, and enforcement of property, rights, laws, and enforcement of a legal code by authority.a legal code by authority.

Three Central Concerns:Three Central Concerns: Political EconomyPolitical Economy Demands of Justice in Distribution of Demands of Justice in Distribution of

PunishmentPunishment Rules of truth and evidence that determine the Rules of truth and evidence that determine the

judgement in law.judgement in law.

Medieval PeriodMedieval Period

Divine Right of KingsDivine Right of Kings ChristianityChristianity

Renaissance PeriodRenaissance Period

A shift occurs… A shift occurs… Humanism:Humanism: A A displacement of the “other worldly” displacement of the “other worldly” values of the middle ages in favor of values of the middle ages in favor of a belief in the potential of humanity a belief in the potential of humanity in this world.in this world.

European Age of EnlightenmentEuropean Age of Enlightenment A more radical look at the A more radical look at the

individualindividual 2 Basic Questions:2 Basic Questions:

By what right or need do By what right or need do people form states?people form states?

What is the best form of What is the best form of government?government?

Government= Government= a specific group of people who occupied, and indeed still occupy the institutions of the state, and create the laws and ordinances by which the people, themselves included, would be bound

State= a set of enduring institutions through which power would be distributed and its use justified

Industrialization & Modern EraIndustrialization & Modern Era Urbanization & Urbanization &

CapitalismCapitalism SocialismSocialism TotalitarianismTotalitarianism

Some Contemporary Philosophies Some Contemporary Philosophies on the field of play…on the field of play…

Liberalism: Liberalism: The idea that there is a plurality of intrinsic good but not one right combination of them, thus making the maximization imperative to the maximization of human happiness.

Conservatism: The idea that a strong hirarchy is needed to maintain order; that equalizing measures often cause disorder.[

Libertarianism: A belief in absolute property rights and absolute freedom of contract.

America’s Political PhilosophyAmerica’s Political Philosophy What do you think?What do you think? Let’s take a look…Let’s take a look…