PS211 Study Guide
Loren J. Samons (Boston U)--Is Democracy a Good Idea?
"Is Democracy a Good idea?" argued that idolizing [Athenian] democracy is problematic; issues included -debt -national defense -demagogues when discussing good/bad, we compare dem to dem (can't compare x to x, we need something outside of itself) Democracy wasn't responsible for Athens' success--maybe not US'? - voting isn't democratic, lots of city states did it - national resources, geography, exploitation of continent - voted themselves into debt, encouraged to engage in war -national defense - demagogues utilized expressive politics to gain power BEST THING ATHENS GAVE US IS CITIZENSHIP--DO SOMETHING TO EARN PRIVILEGES Freedom and security don't coexist--free/no secure, secure/not free
Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
"Of the people, by the people, for the people" doesn't mention war, or those who died is applicable to people, Americans of all ages broad, followed classic greek rhetoric - connects with ancestors (founding fathers) - founding principles - praises collective group - speaks on a large, grand scheme to protect democracy
Epideictic rhetoric
"display speech" rhetoric looking towards the present. this type of rhetoric reaffirms cultural values through praising and blaming
Athenian devices for democratic decisions, ensuring consensus
- inheritance laws: one child divides property, other chooses between the two - antitimesis: the successful prosecutor and the failed defendant each propose sentence after trial. The jury chooses between the two. Example, TRIAL OF SOCRATES - antidosis: a man who looks rich is called to pay a tax. he either pays it, or points out another man who looks richer. he can either pay it, or swap wealth with the other person. creates equality, as each class tries to look like the other class
Stephen L Carter "Can Religion Tolerate Democracy?" major themes
1. wall of separation between church and state - origin of metaphor with Roger Williams - conflict/peace treaty between religion, democracy 2. historical examples of religion impacting democracy 3. ship of state (Williams) 4. the center v circumference 5. dissent
Thucydides' Histories Major episodes - need to know basic content, importance of episodes within the work
1: debate at Sparta 2: the plague 3: Melian Dialogue 4: Mytilenian debate 5: Sicilian Expedition
SULLIVAN & BEVERIDGE
ARGUE FOR EMPIRE - benefit to be ruled by US - benefit to US - God given duty to "clothe the world" - God given duty to civilize the world - govern those incapable of self-government (paternalism) - inevitability of progress
Harry Truman and the Truman Doctrine
Basically Truman countering Soviet Commie expansion out of fear (Red Scare) Initiated US's protection of democracies around the world from external, non democratic forces. This set the precedent for US foreign policy--intrusive. Truman announced policy to counter Soviet expansion, saying the US would aid any country under threat of being overthrown
wisdom of the crowds
COMBINE ALL PEOPLE'S LOGIC, AND ALL KNOW BEST - in class example, averages are always closer than expert guesses The idea that a group of individuals (the crowd), often consisting of untrained amateurs, will collectively have more insight than a single or small group of trained professionals. Under the right circumstances, groups are smarter than the smartest people in them, meaning that large numbers of consumers can predict successful products
the plague (2)
Doctors were the most likely to succumb to the plague. This is where the concept of 'contagiousness' was discovered. Those who survived became immune. - Part of Pericles' War Speech; they're politically superior and technologically superior - They will win unless they choose to expand the empire - Plague kills 25% of the Athenian population - Says he has no regrets even with catastrophic casualties because empire is necessary - They are either compelled to submit to neighbors or to have others submit to them - Be dominated or have liberty; the same thing that the Peloponnesian League says - They have a tyranny and it may have been unjust for them to have it, but it is impossible for them to surrender now. You don't want to lose your reputation - Interest might be power, material wealth, tangible things, but also it may be status or prestige as influential; a reputation - He says that it was only democracy in name but really government by Pericles - Those who came after were far more equal because they all wanted to be chief
Nicias
Dovish Athenian general and politician. He rejected Athens' aggressive imperialism and negotiated a peace treaty between the two sides during the pelopp. war. Advocate for hope, sounded like Melos Got wrecked at river battle
Hope vs Optimism
Hope doesn't require that things get better disposition to see things through, even if they're not great opposite of progress gets you through hard times OPTIMISM = BELIEF IN PROGRESS, THAT THINGS WILL GET BETTER No need for hope with optimism; blind faith
Protagoras
Father of debate, said "man is the measure of all things" political experience is something people can pick up through experience in the polis achieving consensus through whom pays for liturchy (antidosis) claimed to teach virtue and Socrates didn't believe it to be possible. distinguished being good from becoming good came to an agreement that knowledge is a primary component of virtue, and since knowledge is teachable, so is virtue TALKS ABOUT ATHENIAN DEM DEVICES FOR INSURING CONSENSUS
Hayek, "The Use of Knowledge in Society" major themes
Knowledge is best decentralized Everyone has a little piece that they need, and it comes together to create a system not one person or institution needs all the information; this messes it up. Hayek argues for group knowledge (based on efficiency and adaptability for change). DISTINGUISHES knowledge for decision making and scientific knowledge - science req experts, data, research - it's inefficient for bureaucrats to make decisions instead of the people of Durham PRICE SYSTEM - coordinates policies - only those interested in price of tin are making the decisions - aggregation of information (central econ problem) - central v decentralized planning - scientific knowledge v knowledge of circumstances of time and place
MISTAKE OF RULERS
Mistake of rulers both ancient and modern is that our lives are subject to fortune. We are not safe from the instabilities of fortune
Pericles, Funeral Address
PERICLES' 11 POINTS - rule by poor - any citizen can speak in Assembly - cosmopol oppenness - patriotism - self-sufficiency - equality under law - parrhesia (freedom of speech) - concern with civic affairs - naval supremacy - autochthony (always been there, rose from the earth!) broad, uses rhetoric to embolden people praises the deeds of the collective, the city never mentions Athens or the war notes that all people are buried together, regardless of class or wealth
Albert Beveridge "March of the Flag" "In Support of an American Empire" major themes
PRO IMPERIALISM PHILIPPINES Believed that it was America's god-given duty to go to the Philippines; they didn't have the capacity to self govern, they NEED US PATERNALISM--we must govern those who can't themselves progress is inevitable, so is the spread of democracy
John L. O'Sullivan and Manifest Destiny
PRO IMPERIALISM MANIFEST DESTINY = ORDAINED BY GOD TO EXPAND WEST American columnist and editor made famous for introducing the concept of "Manifest Destiny" in an article in 1845. O'Sullivan in supporting the annexation of Texas argued that the U.S. had a divine or ordained right and responsibility to develop the western frontier and to spread American ideals of democracy to the uncivilized or undeveloped regions of the continent and the world. - The US has the DIVINE right to expand west - this is different from empires of antiquity because the US will "free" these nations
Debate at Sparta (1) 432
Was debate between Sparta and her allies. Corinthians compared contentness & status quo attitude of Sparta to the innovative and aggressive Athenian attitude; CLAIMED THAT ATHENS WAS AGGRESSIVE BECAUSE SPARTA WAS PASSIVE--compelled Sparta to declare war with Athens. - Corinthian representatives go to Sparta to ask for help against Athenian influences - Sparta being conservative and small was a roadblock to Corinthians; they were ignorant of foreign affairs - They're slow to act "but they shouldn't be ashamed of that", while Athens is described as fast moving and innovative in the moment, as new ways prevail over the old - Sparta is guilty for not stepping in to stop Athens, and is now obligated to step in - Athens says that empire is necessary and they also say that they have been most just because they do follow the law - They point to the Persian War as showing their dedication to Greece - The Athenians themselves say they are risk takers on page 22; they risk their lives for homes that survive in slender hope - Ambition and fear after the Persian War led them to seek the empire they have now
Jane Jacobs, "street life"
a successful city embodies the good life in a diverse city, there should always be "eyes on the street" that look out for threats to the community unplanned social order
democracy trap tie to readings, lecturers
a) uncritical appreciation of democracy due to 20th century triumph over competing ideologies b) if we just perfect our democratic system, things will work out
Autochthony
being native to, or formed in, the place where found "born from/belonging to the earth"
George Washington's 1796 Farewell Address advice regarding foreign policy
cautionary tale to American people claims he doesn't want alliances or any political relations internationally - we shouldn't get involved in foreign conflicts - equates this with slavery AT THE TIME we weren't powerful enough to be a threat or force to any other nations (Wash). Compared to Athens, the power of the world, this is different. Failure for them to exert themselves internationally would be dangerous for them.
parable of the ox
crowd guesses the weight, and average of the guesses was correct scientists were excited, wanted to study it, wound up forgetting to feed the ox and it died
mixed constitution
democratic, oligarchic principles this is the first mixed regime ARISTOTLE: balance of social classes, give each class different role within the power structure of the state, mix principles of oligarchy and democracy, create a government that allows a lot of participation in governance but with limits example: BOOK ONE, POLITICS THESIS: HUSBAND AND WIFE MOST LIKE POLITICAL RULE, WITH 3 RULING/IN TURN - oikos, houshold - not politics - need to treat the city like one big house
President Obama Audacity of Hope
distinguishes hope from blind optimism hope is when you recover your faith in progress, but also pursue it courageously
fear, hope, political realism
honest representation of what is being depicted as what humans are not what they ought to be; that every country is self-interested and in competition with others; it is a struggle for power at the base level with the goal of optimizing power and don't worry about morality; fear and security motivate states neo-realism = optimizing security rather than power not worried about justice, morality
Tocqueville: Hope, Puritans
hope is antidemocratic democracy = will of majority hope = resisting majority/dem Puritans laid the basis for democratic social state in America by combining religion and freedom provided motivating factor; obedience to triumph of an idea; spiritual resources rejected the old order, aim of life was placed beyond life - religious hope leads to political equality and freedom
Thucydides on Hope
hope is stupid Melos: "hope they'll live" -> Melian dialogue Hope clouds judgement makes you take risks false comfort in bad situations Sicilian expedition (risks dashed hopes) Nicias: even now, we should keep hopes alive Corinth convincing Sparta: athenians take risks and hope... (they count on getting what they want, turning to hopes when they fail) Spartan king contrasts hope with foresight, planning Hope and passionate desire impel us to danger, so they're bad
Broken Windows Theory, Policing (James Q. Wilson) strength, weakness, danger
if there are broken windows in a neighborhood, or it's in disarray, then people will be more likely to commit crimes. IE if you go looking for crime in lower socioeconomic areas, then you will find it. Policing can be heightened in these areas as a result. STRENGTH: initiated criminal justice policy changes for the benefit of communities WEAK: no empirical evidence of the theory being true, can lead to stereotypes, danger, inequality of imprisonment based on socioeconomic status, higher levels of llevel drug incarcerations, etc.
equality as parity
individuals count as peers of comparable status rich and poor can vote at Assembly, and everyone has equal value
Lysias, Oration 2
intro - praise dead soldiers consolation - speaks to family members, says the sacrifice is worth it conclusion DEM FEATURES - praise collective, sacrifice for virtue
Hope
is hope a slogan, dangerous to democracy optimism regarding the future is different hope = expectation that future circum can be different, wanting something to happen/not happen hope as a virtue, char trait vs. hope as a belief you might have
Aristotle's forms of constitution according to rule by one, few, many & degenerative terms
kingship -- tyranny aristocracy -- oligarchy polity -- democracy
parrhesia (free speech)
license to say what one pleases, how, when, and to whom about honesty, openness, LIBERTY is expansive
Political Rule
must have the good of the whole in mind
equality as sameness
numerical equality; everyone counts once
popular criticisms of democratic rhetoric
pandering, manipulation CORRUPTION pandering = being completely ruled by the people manipulation = completely ruling the people good rhetoric leaves space for mutual judgement, reception
The death of expertise
people don't distinguish experts from governing elites experts in other fields are forgotten "webMD" "Wikipedia"
Citizen
people who share a constitution; a good citizen is one who follows it. someone can be a good citizen but a bad man citizens have rights, but also duties
equality as unity
person counts as equal representative of the greater whole voters at Assembly represent the demos as a whole
George W Bush exporting democracy nation building
post-911 we should export democracy, and civilize the world through nation building (rather than empire, like Athens)
Polis
real governance; a free person ruling a free person. husband and wife metaphor can rule and be ruled in turn
Deliberative rhetoric
rhetoric used to argue what a society should do in the future
Judicial Rhetoric
rhetoric used to prove the justice or injustice of a past act
Teresa Bejan (Oxford) lecture
talked about equal speech and free speech, and how they're different
Questions regarding expert critique of democratic rule
what type of info is relevant for political rule? democratic knowledge v decision making
Alcibiades
young, rich, good looking wild man pompous; purple robe, gold shield thought he was above the law fled to sparta to advise them on how to win the war Athenian nobleman who persuaded assembly to embark on the Sicilian expedition, a well-connected man often associated with controversy, was banished from Athens many times, switched sides during the Peloponnesian War from Athens to Sparta and back to Athens, latter helped by his infusion of Persian money, murdered in Thrace
Ober, Classical Athenian Democracy
- Develops crowd mentality and deliberation methods - Should consider political institutions as legal forms and political culture - The assemblies were "interconnected nodes of knowledge exchange" - Social knowledge of being able to find who can do the job best is the soul of democratic knowledge sharing - They gain this knowledge by participating in the structures of Athenian democracy - They were arraigned to facilitate the greatest and most efficient social knowledge sharing - The Demes provides appointment to the Boule and brings his local knowledge to the overall government - The boule was not legislative it was an executive council but it was the human embodiment of the social knowledge of the entire Athenian polis - The leader would learn a mastery of social knowledge - 10 tribes arraigned based on geographical similarities, it puts random groups in cooperation as a larger political body - Every Athenian had access to a network of personal contacts from their demographic and also across the region - The assembly is helped in their legislation by the boule and thus by social knowledge - Face-to-face society where you make decisions easily and you know everyone and who to go to if you need something
Tocqueville major themes, his views
- administrative cent: concentration of control over interests in certain parts of the nation -> federal government addressing local and specific concerns - government cent: concentration of control over interests already shared by all parts of the nation -> general laws, foreign relations, etc. great degree of government centralization, but no admin centralization admin cent weakens civil spirit and prevents things from happening (however, maintains status quo and stability...uniform laws, codes across entire nation) centralized power cannot observe all the details on the ground very well; costly, highly imperfect
Thomas Hobbes; four reasons for conflict in the absence of political order
- competition over scarce goods - "diffidence": the desire for security can lead to preemptive aggression (I'll get you before you get me) - "privilege of absurdity": using one's imagination - "glory": vanity and pride, (which leads an insult to be an incitement to violence) honor battles in gangs break out in 70a-80s over 'dis' from 'disrespected' These lead to constant fear, as life is "nasty, brutish and short" within the State of Nature
Rhetoric, the art of persuasion types, appeals to ELP
A: "the faculty of observing...the available means of persuading" critical to success of democratic politician "persuasive talk is the currency of the democratic realm" ethos==based on credibility of orator, character--whether or not you should believe them logos==rational argumentation pathos==passion, tapping into emotions; what do you say to make the audience connect to you
William Jennings Bryan major themes
Arguments against empire - universal love of liberty - empire contradicts founding principles of liberty and equality - incompatibility between democracy and empire - all humans have capacity for self-rule - manifest destiny distorts Christianity
Pericles
Aristocratic leader who guided the Athenian state through the transformation to full participatory democracy for all male citizens. Zealously sought to spread Athenian democracy through imperial force
Sicilian Expedition (5) 415-413
Athenian expedition to Sicily from 415-413, results in the Athenian defeat and the complete destruction of Athenian forces Athens wanted to conquer Sicily, and Alcibiades persuaded them that conquering Syracuse (it's prime city) was the best way to go about it. Sparta declared war during this expedition. Athens underestimated them, came with subpar forces. Lost the battle and their expeditionary force as a result. Athens became defenders rather than enforcers, and eventually the greatly weakened Athenians surrendered to Sparta. - Easy peace negotiated by Nicias; envoys come from Sicily and ask Athens help against Syracuse - Alcibiades, friend of Socrates - Nicias argues against the war and invasion and that conquering Sicily will give them more trouble - Alcibiades says that he's above equality and that Sicily is weak and divided; they should take the opportunity - Alcibiades wins, he is accused of mutilating the Herms and defects from Athens - Athens is slaughtered - Foreshadowing; Nicias appeals to gods and hope and neither save him, the very thing the Athenians said to the Melians cause their downfall - Power vacuum after Pericles
Diodotus
Athenian politician who showed that Athens lost its moral compass during the Peloponnesian War, as even the "good guys" argued in terms of self-interest rather than justice during the Mytilenian Debate. He did succeed in overturning Cleon's decision to kill the entire male population of Mytilene.
Why the case study of Athens suggests democracy is a bad idea
Debt: Athens went into debt for Peloponnesian War (spent silver reserves within first 3 years) International relations: demos spent on policies that benefit itself rather than Athens; took unrealistic attitude towards foreign policy Pericles: his building projects led to the Peloponnesian War ; Thucydides (son of Melesias) objected and was ostracized, as prudent politicians don't last long in democracy
Major characters in Thucydides' Histories
Cleon Diodotus Alcibiades Nicias Pericles
POLITY
EQUALITY BY MERIT, NOT NUMBER
Cleon
Hawkish Athenian demagogue that led Athens after Pericles' death.
Christopher Lasch "The True and Only Heaven" major themes
Lasch = NeoMarxist Defines progressivism as belief in inevitable historical progress that assumes raising standard of living and incorporation of more and more people into a culture of abundance -> goal of progressivism is to make the pleasures of leisure more available to more people -Private material goods -Thinks Americans are hardwired to be progressives, that we always think things will get better Critique of Progressivism -Doesn't give people an ultimate sense of purpose -Capitalism can't provide a higher spirit or motivation -Don't work to make things better (inevitable according to progressives) 1. Can't rely on the wealthy to move you forward 2. The democratization of consumption is an insufficiently demanding ideal 3. Ideal of progress alone can't motivate you to sacrifice pleasures 4. Progressive ideology weakens spirit of sacrifice 5. Insufficient antidote to despair (what if things don't work out?) 1. Lasch's critique of progressivism - democratization of consumption insufficiently demanding ideal - idea of progress cannot motivate - weakens spirit of sacrifice - provides ineffective antidote to despair 2. features of hope - requires belief in justice - confidence in past, not future - expects disappointments - a character trait 3. Hope v Optimism
ship of state (Plato's Republic) what does it imply about politics?
METAPHOR FOR DEMOCRACY the shipowner = the citizen/voter, who is unaware of how to pilot the ship the sailors = politicians, trying to persuade the owner to follow their opinions and steer the ship the true pilots are the philosophers; accused of being stargazers, and don't care about power, so the shipowners won't listen to them. However, they know what is best.
Mytilenian Debate (4) 427
Mytelenians leave Athens, join Sparta. Athens voted to have all men killed, women/children sold as slaves. They sent a ship to execute the mission, but then called an Assembly to reconsider the decision. Cleon used rhetoric to try to persuade Athens to execute the mission, claiming they couldn't change their minds after it was already made. National security requires brutal realism. Diodotus argued against him, claiming it would be more advantageous to them to show mercy; would prevent future rebellion. Athens listens to Diodotus, sent another ship to catch up and call it off. In the early stages of the Peloponnesian War, Mytilene, a client state of the Athenian empire, revolted. Cleon argued that Athens should execute all the Mytilenians, while Diodotus believed that forgiving the Mytilenians was in the strategic interest of Athens. The Athenians initially voted in favor of Cleon, but the next day, they changed their minds and voted for Diodotus' plan. Cleon's Argument: Athens needs to be the greatest empire in Greece, and it can only develop allies by intimidating them. All the Mytilenians should be executed. Any opponents of Cleon's argument are illegal immigrants who are taking bribes, and they are appealing to emotion, so their argument is not rational. Diodotus' Argument: Athens needs to be the greatest empire in Greece, and it needs to treat its neighbors with respect in order to keep them as allies. The Mytilenians should not be executed, because if they are, other polises will fear facing the same fate and abandon their commitment to Athens. Diodotus is not appealing to emotion because he believes that treating Athens' allies with respect will encourage them to continue supporting Athens in the war. His opponents, however, are appealing to anger and spite, which lead to ill-advised decisions. Cleon v. Diodotus: - Cleon argues that it is a bad idea to change their minds; they must go to war to assert dominance. Must go ahead because if they aren't resolute then they would be weak and Mytilene must be made an example. - Begins by insulting them saying they don't have the stomach needed to make these decisions - Cleon disses democracy, says the people doubting themselves proves his thoughts on democracy (don't become traitors to yourselves) - Diodotus says that people might start to think that their only option is to fight to the death, so diplomacy might be a more distant idea in the future; he analyzes the costs Disadvantage of Democracy is that it is slow, can't connect the distant future
democratic knowledge vs. democratic decision-making
Old Oligarch= politics requires expert rule, not rule of amateurs Plato's REPUBLIC knowledge is expertise, about understanding what is unchanging truth is mathematical, timeless getting power and using it are different things
Epistocracy
Plato's political vision -rule by those with knowledge Allow experts to rule and make decisions, rather than the common man.
Brian Anderson, City Journal
Policing Prevention, not punishment! Proactive policing worked to clean up in the past. Now, it leads to the breakdown of cities There's less trust between the citizens and system now. Need support from the constituents for it to be effective.
Melian Dialogue (3) 416
This was an argument between Athens and the Melians, who were a neutral region. Athens wanted control of the seas; wanted them to surrender rule and pay tribute, or else they'd be enslaved and conquered. Melians wanted to be allies, disagreed. Athens didn't want to be allies, as they'd be perceived as weak. They wanted to set an example for the other small islands. The Melian men are killed, and the rest sold into slavery. Thucydides - between Athenians and Melians who pled neutrality. Athens could not be seen to leave them be as it would be a sign of weakness. With us or against us attitude. Strong do what they have the power to do, the weak suffer what they must. -10 years after the Mytilenian debate - Athens tries to maintain control of the seas, Melos wants to be neutral but they are a Spartan colony - Private discussion among ambassadors; can be much more blunt and direct - Melians argue that Spartan should allow them to be neutral because there are other neutral states because denying them freedom could force the other neutral states to join Sparta - They also argue that the gods are on their side -HOPE won't help you because Athens has power and might, gods won't intervene because it is the natural order of things for the strong to dominate the weak - The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must - Justice comes into play when the sides are relatively equal; if you aren't equal then its power relations not justice - The Declaration of Independence argues that we were free and equal among the powers of the world & that justice comes into play since we are free we are equal - The Melians lose and all men are killed and the rest are sold into slavery
Major themes in Thucydides' Histories Why did the wars begin? (causes of Peloponnesian War) Why did Athens lose the war? Democracy & Empire Democracy & Leadership Human nature Grounds on which Athens sought to justify her empire - locate in speeches Rhetoric Democratic peace theory
Wars began out of fear. States compelled to act as Corinth argued to Sparta Athens lost because: - over reached and overextended - moved too quickly - trusted in resourceless hope - fickle democracy - lacked a single great leader after Pericles' death Dem & Emp: go hand in hand Dem & Lead: there is a need for a strong leader to make important decisions quickly Athens justifies empire: they inherited it, so they are forced to maintain it
constraints on wisdom of the crowds (pros, cons)
each person must have their own beliefs Wasps: Procleon was financially dependent on the jury, addicted to the power--large stacked assembly better than a wealthy few? Thucydides, B3: athenians boast that they make decisions fast, efficiently...fails during Mytilene revolt. Not a good example of large groups making good decisions Old Oligarch: Practical accountability Oligarch says that O cities must observe oaths, treaties because the name of those that deny the rites are available. In a large group of people, more rash decisions are likely because not one person is politically culpable
isegoria (equal speech)
equal right to speak and participate in public debate about equality more political, specifically to Athens direct democracy but relatable to a free press
equal speech in Athens
equality as sameness (numerical equality, everyone counts once) equality as unity (person counts as equal representative of the greater whole; voters at Assembly represent the whole demos) equality as parity (individuals count as peers of a comparable status; rich and poor can vote at assembly regardless, everyone has equal value.
Plato's image of the cave (relationship to rule of knowledge)
the enlightened are too removed from the people to rule--they won't trust them when they return cave = democracy; shadows on the wall telling what it is, what is right break loose, go outside, see the world, become enlightened come back, get killed
how is rhetoric democratic?
to rule and be ruled is structure of dem, rhetoric takes the same form speaker thinking of the character of his audience, and vice versa the speaker is RULED by the audience, and the audience is RULED by the speaker