Social Contract Theory and Thinkers

Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer during the Renaissance. He's best known for his political treatise, The Prince, which argues that rulers should use any means necessary to maintain power, even if it requires deception or violence.

Machiavelli's work The Prince is a political treatise advising rulers on how to acquire and maintain power. It emphasizes the use of deception, force, and cunning to achieve political goals, regardless of moral considerations.

In The Prince, Chapter 17 emphasizes the inherently self-interested nature of humans, suggesting that they are naturally driven by their own desires and motivations. Machiavelli argues that this inherent self-interest must be understood and managed effectively by rulers.

Machiavelli's political philosophy is often characterized as a revival of pagan ideas, emphasizing pragmatism and political expediency over religious or moral considerations. His work challenges traditional Christian morality in political discourse.

Machiavelli's Discourses is a treatise advocating for a republic as the ideal form of government. He argues that a republic, through its institutions and civic engagement, can provide stability, virtue, and a path to lasting prosperity.

Marx's critique of Hegel's philosophy of right, arguing for individual freedom and choice rather than state-controlled rights.

A collection of notes exploring concepts like human labor as the essence of value creation. Later influenced Marxist thought.

A critique of Proudhon's ideas on poverty, arguing that capitalism inherently exploits workers.

This major work outlines Marx's theory of capitalism, claiming that capital exploits workers to increase its own value.

A collection of essays examining the class struggle in France during the 1848 revolution.

A school of thought in political philosophy that emphasizes the inherent unfairness of unequal outcomes caused by factors beyond individual control, such as natural talent or social circumstances.

Ronald Dworkin's book that explores the nature of justice and moral responsibility in relation to luck, focusing on how to balance individual responsibility with the need for social fairness.

Ronald Dworkin's work, published in 2000, which delves into the concept of political virtue. It argues that the political system should be guided by principles of fairness and respect for individual rights.

A classification of interest groups based on their structure and level of organization. Institutional groups are formal organizations, Anomic groups are spontaneous and temporary, Associational groups are organized for a specific purpose, and Non-associational groups are informal and emerge around shared interests.

Almond and Coleman's research on comparative politics, focusing on interest group dynamics and their influence on political processes.

A political system where multiple political parties compete for power, with no single party dominating the political landscape.

A system where the majority party controls the government, often leading to dominance in the political system.

A political system that prioritizes the interests of the state over individual rights and freedoms.

A political system that seeks total control over all aspects of society, including political, social, and economic life.