Political Theory Finals PDF

Peace in relation to Political Authority Welfare and safety of the multitude formed into a society lies in this...

Peace in relation to Political Authority Welfare and safety of the multitude formed into a society lies in this unity. If peace is removed, the multitude in its disagreement becomes a burden. Peace is the chief concern of the ruler/political authority. Peace is more achievable through unity and oneness. One man rules better than several to achieve peace since the multitude of composition implies disunity. This is in accord to the law of nature. ○ The existence of the principal mover. Justice ○ Every multitude is derived from unity. The laws are just if they are ordained to the common good. To Prevent Tyrannical rule When the law does not exceed the power of King must be in such a condition improbable the lawgiver (the public or God) - for him to be a tyrant. Sovereignty. When the King is established, the gov't must Burdens of the law are laid on subjects be arranged in a way that opportunities according to an equality of proportions and towards tyranny are removed. with a view of the common good. (Not bias) Provision must be made for facing the The laws would be unjust: situation should the king stray into tyranny. ○ If it is contrary to the common good ○ If it opposes the divine good The right to revolt Tolerate the milder tyranny for a while to avoid The need for Political Authority more grievous perils, if the condition is unfit for Social nature of man requires him to live in a victory. society of many men living together. Such a If tyranny is unbearable, it is an act of virtue multitude would be broken and scattered to slay the tyrant. unless there was an agency to take care of To proceed against the cruelty of tyrants is an what pertains to the common weal. action to be undertaken not through private Political authority is required in a society presumption but through Public Authority. composed of multitudes. Deposing the tyrant is not an unjust/unfaithful Just Rulership - Political authority act since he deserved that the covenant with directs/orders the multitude of free men his subjects not be kept, given that as the towards the common good. tyrant rules the multitude, he did not act Right Vs. Wrong faithfully as the office of the king demands. ○ Right if the direction is towards the befitting end. Wrong if the direction is towards an unbefitting end. Fundamentals of Political Theory (POS 1102): The A movement emerged in Italy called the Renaissance Renaissance and Machiavellian Political Thought in the 14th century, which sought to challenge and redefine the previous norms of the medieval era. Amoral Politics: Machiavellianism and the era of The Renaissance is often described as a period of Rebirth rebirth; there is nothing entirely new about it. While the Renaissance is attributed to the scientific There was a significant change in how people viewed advancements that followed the medieval ages, it political thought as society transitioned from the primarily revisited ideas from the ancient period, medieval period to the Renaissance. During the particularly those of the Greeks. This is evident in the medieval era, the Church held a dominant and central architecture, artistry, and appreciation for science, all role, shaping many aspects of life, including politics. of which were inspired by ancient traditions. However, as the Renaissance emerged, this God-centric focus started to shift, and political thought Renaissance as a Cause evolved alongside the changing cultural and - It helped revive the rational, intellectual environment. this-worldly, secular, scientific spirit that had been dormant during the While the Renaissance era is well-known for its medieval era. significant contributions in areas like art and science, it did not have as much influence on the development of During the medieval era, the mindset, norms, and political theory. values of the people were centered around the idea of - Though less emphasized, it is still important; meeting the expectations for life after death. As a while the Renaissance is not as commonly result, life in the material realm had to be aligned with associated with political thought as it is with the beliefs surrounding the afterlife. In contrast, the other fields, it was a significant period for Renaissance period was characterized by a political ideas, especially in the development humanistic focus, placing emphasis on human of modern political concepts. experience. This shift led to a renewed interest in the physical realm rather than the metaphysical, which Machiavelli is the most influential figure from the contributed to the decline of political theorizing and Renaissance to develop a strong political theory. philosophy, as these were often associated with The Prince is not the entirety of Machiavelli's medieval thinkers. Instead, there was a shift toward political philosophy. science and discovery, leading to the emergence of scientists like Marco Polo. Renaissance Rebirth and rediscovery of the great antiquity Renaissance as an Effect of the ancient period. - It was an effect of man's growing restlessness and of the changing During the medieval period, governance was social and technological conditions. characterized by a theocratic system in which the Church reigned alongside the state, wielding The printing press was one of the most significant significant political power. However, a shift occurred inventions of the Renaissance period, allowing for with the decline of the Catholic Church's authority great advancements in communication to take place. It following the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, was German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg who leading to fragmentation among various churches. This invented the first printing press in 1436. fragmentation allowed different states and kingdoms to assert claims over their territories, often seeking legitimacy through alliances with certain popes or churches to justify their divine right to rule. Despite these efforts, the concept of divine right itself faced decline in later years, indicating a move away from theocratic governance toward a more secular political landscape. The Move from the Medieval Era Italian Humanism Modernism Man was the center of his own universe ○ Increasing authority of Science Purely intellectual, and did not lead to Schism (Scientific Rationalism) Intellectualism became the basis for the functioning of The transition from the medieval era marked an society, and it did not lead to a schism—a split or advancement in technology and a growing sense of division between strongly opposed groups caused by modernity, with increasing authority given to science differences in opinion or belief. rather than to Church values or teachings. Rationality shifted from being used to understand God through End of Moral rules philosophy to being applied in the discovery and invention of things that improved daily life. The end of moral rules meant that the basis of laws was no longer grounded in morality or determined by - Authority by appeal for reason the Church or its Catholic leaders. (Intellectual not governmental) Movement supported by Patrons (Medicis and The authority by appeal for reason had become the Humanist Popes) primary source of power. The more rational one was, the more authoritative they became. They also financed the creation and improvement of churches, supporting both sides. - Partial Authority Niccolo Macchiavelli Monarchs were granted partial authority rather than A public servant to the City of Florence under absolute power, with authority distributed across the an Independent Republic various entities instead of being centralized in the Lost his job after the republican government monarchy. have been replaced by an absolutist rule, Charged with crimes but was found innocent Monarchs and wealthy families became patrons, and and banished into his small farm. the institutions they supported often held significant political power. This dynamic gave rise to a few Machiavellian Political Thought economic elites, particularly in banking and finance, Anti-Moralist perception of Politics. such as the Medici family, who used their financial Moral Relativity. dominance to control Florence through strategic The State as an autonomous system of values patronage. separate from the other sources of values. Authority and power are essentially coequal: - Probability that can be subject to - Whoever has power has the right to modification command. - Practicality of Science - But goodness does not ensure power and the good person has no more Diminishing authority of the Church authority by virtue of being good. (Dogmatism) - Individualism The Prince - Anarchy Power is an end in itself rather than an instrument of achieving the common good like The diminishing authority of the Church led to a more in the middle ages. individualistic society, where people were perceived as Authority is on the basis of power, not virtue. anarchistic in nature, each pursuing their own path in The statement’s actions are only to be guided scientific discovery, primarily focused on improving by the precepts of his code whose end is the society and present life rather than on God or the acquisition, retention, and expansion of Power. afterlife. This shift was facilitated by the presence of - Early influences to Political Realism economic elites, who served as patrons, financing various projects. Individualism became prominent, raising the question, “What is the role of man?”  Machiavelli’s expression of moral Relativity Thomas Hobbes ○ Good - Efficiency English philosopher ○ Sin - Inefficiency Influenced by both Empiricism of English ○ Virtue - Military valor philosophy and the Mathematics of - Manliness - military courage, Continental Philosophy intelligence, civic responsibility The first to merge the two, previously opposing and personal integrity. elements: ○ Prudence - Empiricism = Perception - The ability to understand - Mathematics = (Platonic) Idealism reality and adapt action to Rationalist Political Thinking favoring royalist reality in a rule non-ideological/non-dogmatic - Anti-Catholic approach. - Anti-Democracy Had a background on ancient works and The Ruler/The Statesman/The Prince scholastic scholarship The ruler must have the technical skills to fight his way into political power, maintain and The Leviathan expand grip over power. Life, he says, is nothing but a motion of the - Ambitious, Ruthless, and Crafty limbs, and therefore automata (Decartes' concept of unconscious beings) have an “How we live is far removed from we ought to artificial life. The commonwealth, which he live” calls Leviathan, is a creation of art , and is in - Those who choose to seek what is fact an artificial man. ought to be done will only ruin himself. The sovereignty is an artificial soul. There are two methods in fighting for rulers: The pacts and covenants by which “Leviathan” - Law - Man (Often insufficient) is first created take place of God’s fiat when - Force - Beast (Often necessary) He said “Let Us make man” “Cunning Like a Fox and Ferocious Like a Lion” The individual man On Keeping Faith Sensations are caused by the pressure of - “A prudent ruler ought not to keep faith objects; colors, sound, etc. are not in the when by doing so it would be against objects. his interest and when the reasons The qualities in objects that correspond to our which made him bind himself no sensations are motions. longer exist.” The first law of motion in relation to Psychology Primacy of Expediency and Interest over - Imagination Laudable intentions - Senses Radical Pessimism towards Human Nature There are no universal ideas except for the - “If men were all good, this precept names that people make to encapsulate the would not be a good one; but as they nominal realities. Thus the need for language are bad, and would not observe their to be able to make truth or falsehood of many faith with you, sp you are not bound to things such as “Good or Bad” and “True or keep faith with them. False” Motion of things is fully measured by geometry. Geometry is the only genuine science. The faculty of language is necessary to create a sense of boundary or standard for reasoning, The use of language requires non-contradictory characteristics for a reason to prevail and ultimately avoid Absurdity - Example: Free will and the Accident of the Bread Passions – Why Humans Act? Reason is not innate but is developed by The Sovereign industry or activity. The central authority whose powers are Endeavors - small beginning of motion: undivided and unlimited. - If towards something = desire (Love) - Has the power of censorship and suppress Good challenges to the state. - If away from something = Aversion Internal peace is assumed to be his main (Hate) = Bad interest. Good and Bad are not objectivity defined. Laws and property are to be created and Differences in desire among men creates a controlled by the sovereign. problem of identifying the nature of the act as Despite being despotic, it is still better than either aversion or desire. anarchy. Will - the last appetite/desire or aversion Interests of the sovereign are identical to the remaining in deliberation. subjects. Tyranny is Monarchy that the speaker dislikes. Nature of Man All Men are naturally equal. Monarchy is the best form of government STATE OF NATURE - The state where there compared to an assembly: were still not governments, only the material A monarch may follow his private interest but realities of nature dictates human activity. No so may assembly. justice or human injustice, no property; only A monarch may have favorites but so may an war. assembly which multiples the number of “War of all, against all” favorites. - Life is “nasty, brutish, and short.” A monarch can hear advice from anyone - In war” Fraud and Force are the two secretly but an assembly can only hear from Cardinal Virtues. its member publicly. In the state of nature, every man desires to: Absence of members in an assembly may - Preserve his own liberty mean a change in policy. - But to acquire dominion over others If the assembly is highly divided, it may cause chaos and war. The Commonwealth Critique: Conception of the assembly and democracy Social Contract - a number or people come is of ancient character devoid of the idea of periodical together to form communities and agree to elections. choose a sovereign or a sovereign body. Which shall ec=xercuse authority ove rhythm Liberty of Citizens and put an end to the universal war. Liberty is the absence of impediments to Unlike other species like bees and ants, men motion. compete in desire. Men’s agreement, unlike The subjects are free where the law does not other species, is not natural but artificial. The interfere. sovereign is noy readily existing, it has to be Laws could interfere if the sovereign so created and agreed by everyone. decided. The Covenant A man has a right to refuse to fight when Product of the social contract that restrain men called upon by the government to do so – on the basis of self-preservation from the resistance to the sovereignty is only allowed in universal war. self-defense (highly self-preserving) Agreement between citizens to choose a The liberty that should be praised is the liberty sovereign. of the sovereign from foreign domination. Choice is based on majority but the minority A man has no duty to a sovereign who cannot are still bound to the sovereign. protect him. Enforcement - Conferring to a sovereign to No other bodies or organizations such as trade use force. union After choosing the sovereign, the citizen’s political power ends. Political Power solely resides upon the sovereign. The ruler is not bound by any contract (only the Citizens). No right to Rebellion. Reasons for the dissolution of the Commonwealth: Social Contract Giving too little power to the sovereign A voluntary consensus to cede some of their Allowing private judgment in subjects rights not on the basis of comparative peace to The theory that everything that is against the the chaotic state of nature. conscience is sin. There is a condition that the state has to Belief in inspiration. preserve their innate liberties The doctrine that the sovereign is subject to People should retain the rights and the means civil laws to overthrow government, Provided that the overnment has failed its purpose of preserving the people's rights. John Locke To establish law and order so that Opposite theorist to Hobbes uncertainties of the state of nature will be British Rational Liberalism replaced by the predictability of known laws - Bloodless revolution of 1688 - led to and impartial institutions the declaration of rights Within a group, men quickly form society - Revolution of 1832 (parliamentary because the advantages of the state of nature reform) seem to them to be outweighed by its - Revolution of 1945 (integration of advantages. labor party) Government is not established by a contract but a Fiduciary Trust. Religious Tolerance The legislature is the "supreme power" ne rop - Man cannot possible evaluate the Above the real ature is truth-claims of competing religions The authority of the legislature is "Fiduciary - Imposing a single religion won't work Power" because you can't be compelled to - Trustee - Legislator (duties) believe a religion through violence. - Biphicary and Guarantor - People - Religious uniformity leads to social (rights) disorder compared to religious diversity. Trust Fiduciary = Trust Two treatises of Government The trustee assumes primarily obligations 1st treatise rather than rights. - Debunked the idea of divine right The purpose of the trust is determined by the 2nd treatise interests of the beneficiary, not by the will of - State of nature the trustee. - The state of nature was peaceful The trustee is a servant of the beneficiary and rather than chaotic the trustor (the people) and can be recalled by - Creating the government did not mean them in the event of neglect of duty. people had to fearfully surrendered their individual liberties - Liberties are innate. State of nature The law of nature through the instrument of reason defines what is right and what is wrong, Law of nature rules in the state of nature Judgment and execution is on every man’s hands. The state of nature still exists in so-called advanced nations especially in terms where there is no judicature, the aggrieved party is authorized to punish the aggressor. Deficiencies of the law of nature: - Unclear - No third-party-judge - Possibility of execution.