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Questions and Answers
Which philosopher is known for defending political authority?
Which philosopher is known for defending political authority?
Which event is associated with Emmeline Pankhurst?
Which event is associated with Emmeline Pankhurst?
What is a major theme in John Stuart Mill's philosophy?
What is a major theme in John Stuart Mill's philosophy?
What controversial act occurred in Bradford, UK, in 1989?
What controversial act occurred in Bradford, UK, in 1989?
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Which cartoonist created works in the early 20th century addressing the view of liberty?
Which cartoonist created works in the early 20th century addressing the view of liberty?
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What is a key characteristic of Isaiah Berlin's philosophy?
What is a key characteristic of Isaiah Berlin's philosophy?
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Which event symbolizes the fight for multicultural harmony in the UK?
Which event symbolizes the fight for multicultural harmony in the UK?
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What does the Allegory of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti represent?
What does the Allegory of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti represent?
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What is suggested as an ineffective way to create change according to the discussion?
What is suggested as an ineffective way to create change according to the discussion?
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What common outcome often results from political philosophers intervening directly in political affairs?
What common outcome often results from political philosophers intervening directly in political affairs?
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What does Hobbes’s Leviathan suggest about government authority?
What does Hobbes’s Leviathan suggest about government authority?
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Which historical figure acted as a tutor to a powerful ruler?
Which historical figure acted as a tutor to a powerful ruler?
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What did both the Royalists and Parliamentarians think about Hobbes's views?
What did both the Royalists and Parliamentarians think about Hobbes's views?
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What approach do political philosophers take towards common beliefs in politics?
What approach do political philosophers take towards common beliefs in politics?
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What is implied as a consequence of treating societal problems through chaos or bribery?
What is implied as a consequence of treating societal problems through chaos or bribery?
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Which philosopher invited Diderot to discuss modernizing Russia?
Which philosopher invited Diderot to discuss modernizing Russia?
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What is a key function of modern states as described?
What is a key function of modern states as described?
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Which of the following aspects reflects the increasing power of states in contemporary society?
Which of the following aspects reflects the increasing power of states in contemporary society?
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How were disputes generally resolved in tribal societies?
How were disputes generally resolved in tribal societies?
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What sentiment does the author express regarding their perspective on political discussions?
What sentiment does the author express regarding their perspective on political discussions?
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In historical contexts, how did the scale of governance change according to the content?
In historical contexts, how did the scale of governance change according to the content?
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What does the author imply about the role of failing states?
What does the author imply about the role of failing states?
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Which of the following does NOT describe the benefits provided by modern states?
Which of the following does NOT describe the benefits provided by modern states?
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What historical example does the author cite to discuss the concept of governance?
What historical example does the author cite to discuss the concept of governance?
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What does Hobbes suggest is necessary for cooperation between people?
What does Hobbes suggest is necessary for cooperation between people?
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According to Hobbes, what underpins the absence of trust in the natural condition?
According to Hobbes, what underpins the absence of trust in the natural condition?
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In Hobbes's view, what is the result of living without political authority?
In Hobbes's view, what is the result of living without political authority?
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What do Hobbes's critics argue in response to his views on cooperation?
What do Hobbes's critics argue in response to his views on cooperation?
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What might Hobbes consider a rational response when faced with the absence of legal enforcement of agreements?
What might Hobbes consider a rational response when faced with the absence of legal enforcement of agreements?
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Which of the following is not a point made by Hobbes regarding the natural condition?
Which of the following is not a point made by Hobbes regarding the natural condition?
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What is implied about human nature by the critics of Hobbes?
What is implied about human nature by the critics of Hobbes?
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What is emphasized as a necessity for cooperation in Hobbes’s view?
What is emphasized as a necessity for cooperation in Hobbes’s view?
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What is a major assumption of the anarchist picture regarding social interaction?
What is a major assumption of the anarchist picture regarding social interaction?
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Why is a legal system considered necessary in large mobile societies?
Why is a legal system considered necessary in large mobile societies?
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What describes a common issue when communities attempt to cooperate?
What describes a common issue when communities attempt to cooperate?
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What factor complicates the agreement on sharing resources for a community project?
What factor complicates the agreement on sharing resources for a community project?
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Which of the following is NOT a question that arises when building a society-wide rail network?
Which of the following is NOT a question that arises when building a society-wide rail network?
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What challenge is associated with resource sharing among local communities?
What challenge is associated with resource sharing among local communities?
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What is a potential consequence of individual communities not reaching an agreement?
What is a potential consequence of individual communities not reaching an agreement?
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Which of the following reflects a key challenge in achieving fairness in community projects?
Which of the following reflects a key challenge in achieving fairness in community projects?
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What is one of the chief functions of the state according to the content?
What is one of the chief functions of the state according to the content?
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What does Locke suggest about property acquisition and state jurisdiction?
What does Locke suggest about property acquisition and state jurisdiction?
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What is a drawback of the consent approach to political obligation mentioned?
What is a drawback of the consent approach to political obligation mentioned?
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Which of the following ideas is proposed as a more promising alternative to the consent approach?
Which of the following ideas is proposed as a more promising alternative to the consent approach?
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According to the content, what dilemma does a voter face when they vote for a less preferred option?
According to the content, what dilemma does a voter face when they vote for a less preferred option?
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What is implied about the relationship between voting and recognizing government legitimacy?
What is implied about the relationship between voting and recognizing government legitimacy?
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What scenario illustrates the concept of fairness in shared obligations?
What scenario illustrates the concept of fairness in shared obligations?
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What limitation exists for individuals regarding state benefits and consent?
What limitation exists for individuals regarding state benefits and consent?
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Study Notes
Book Title and Author
- Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction
- David Miller
Preface
- The book aims to make political philosophy engaging and accessible to those new to the subject.
- Author thanks readers and others for their help.
Chapter 1: Why do we need political philosophy?
- The opening chapter uses a painting from Siena as a visual aid to explore political philosophy.
- The painting depicts the allegory of good and bad government.
- The chapter highlights why political philosophy is important, and the influence of good and bad ways of governing on people's lives.
- The chapter emphasises the importance of political philosophy in understanding how governments function, how they impact people's lives, and whether there is a choice about the forms of our government, and if we can have any real control over it.
Chapter 2: Political Authority
- The chapter explores political authority, and the need for it.
- It discusses the history of political authority.
- It looks at society without political authority.
- It examines why we need political authorities.
- It considers ways that we could create political authority without states.
- This involves two possible options: community based and market based methods.
Chapter 3: Democracy
- The chapter begins by examining why political authority is needed.
- It considers why a political philosophy of democracy would emerge.
- Examines what a democratic decision entails.
- Examines the idea of a democratic form of authority.
- The role of minorities and majorities in a democracy.
Chapter 4: Freedom and the Limits of Government
- This chapter explores what freedom is.
- The chapter provides examples of ways of restricting freedom.
- It discusses how government limits freedom and why is it justified.
- It discusses where the line between self-regarding and other-regarding actions should be drawn, and gives examples of things that could be seen as limitations on freedom, and why these could have justification.
- Mill's view of individual freedom and its limitations.
- The relationship between freedom and rights, and political authority.
Chapter 5: Justice
- The chapter explores what justice is, and the idea of different forms of justice relevant to different circumstances.
- It considers the aspects of justice in allocation of resources.
- It considers ideas of proportion when allocating resources.
- It explores the concept of desert in the context of justice and social justice.
- Finally, discusses possible issues surrounding social justice.
Chapter 6: Feminism and Multiculturalism
- This chapter explores the ideas of feminism and multiculturalism.
- It discusses the relationship between political authority, freedom, and justice, in relation to women and multicultural communities.
- It examines how political philosophy has traditionally dealt with the relationship between men and women, and how this neglect is problematic.
- It considers how different societies structure justice differently for different groups.
Chapter 7: Nations, States, and Global Justice
- This chapter explores the relationships between nations, states, and global justice.
- It discusses global justice and multiculturalism.
Further Reading
- Sections of the text list recommendations for further reading/studies on political philosophy.
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