Introduction to Politics - Political Ideologies - PDF

SP1125 Introduction to Politics Political Ideologies An introduction to political theory Dr Allyn Fives What do students of political theory learn? What kinds of questions are posed? What kinds of method are used? What are the main schools of thought? What...

SP1125 Introduction to Politics Political Ideologies An introduction to political theory Dr Allyn Fives What do students of political theory learn? What kinds of questions are posed? What kinds of method are used? What are the main schools of thought? What counts as high quality academic work in this area? What kinds of questions are posed? Legitimate authority Those in power claim a right to rule; and presume citizens have a duty to obey But how can we defer to authority, and still be free (and responsible for what we do)? Socrates’ paradox in the Crito What kinds of questions are posed? Take one example: legitimate authority What would make authority legitimate? (e.g. democracy) What is meant by ‘legitimacy’: does it demand deference? What can we learn from classic texts? (e.g. Plato’s Crito; Hobbes’ Leviathan) What problems are we faced with now? (e.g. dissent, populism …) What kinds of questions are posed? Take one example: legitimate authority Is there such a thing? (some anarchists say ‘no’) Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin (1814 – 1876) What kinds of method are used? Which ‘path’ of theorizing? Discovery of the truth (e.g. that humans are by nature autonomous, and so authority can never have legitimacy). Invention through some contrivance (e.g. social contract as the basis of legitimate authority). Interpretation of the meaning of the world we inhabit (e.g., that here and now only a liberal politics can be justified). Michael Walzer (1985) Interpretation and Social Criticism. Tanner Lectures on Human Values. What are the main schools of thought? Critical Theory Goal is emancipation Methodology: free oneself from ideas that tend to block emancipation Start from the problem of domination (& role accepted ideas play) (e.g. Karl Marx, 1818-1883) What are the main schools of thought? Normative Theory Goal is greater understanding of what morality demands Methodology: proceed by being open to falsification Start from philosophical puzzles (that have normative importance) (e.g. Judith Shklar, 1928-92) What counts as high quality academic work? Expression: Clear, precise, persuasive Argument / Analysis: Are the premises true? Do they support the conclusions? (do this for your argument as well) Engagement with published work: Clear exegesis and critical analysis (plus properly referenced) Structure: Flag intent; link ideas; justify conclusions; draw conclusions together What counts as high quality academic work? An argument 1. Autonomy entails the capacity to self-legislate 2. Those who are autonomous (ought to) take responsibility for their actions 3. Authority entails a right to command & a duty to obey 4. Authority entails deference (e.g. obeying they law because it is the law) 5. Authority is incompatible with autonomy 6. Therefore, we ought to oppose authority (Robert Wolff (1990 ) ‘The conflict between authority and autonomy,’ in J. Raz (ed.) Authority (New York: New York University Press), pp. 20–31.)