Western Political Thought Midterm 1

what are some limits on political power for Locke?

1. no arbitrary power (even in war, govt is limited, cannot grant arbitrary power to everyone) 2. standing laws 3. rights of property 4. transfer of power (cannot pass law making power from government to anyone else)

what ruler did machiavelli think was a bad example of a monarch and why?

Agothoglies was cruel for the sake of cruelty, which Machiavelli warns against.

What is the cycle of government that Machiavelli propose?

Anarchy--> Monarchy --> Tyranny --> Aristocracy --> Oligarchy --> Democracy --> Anarchy

what ruler did machiavelli think was a great example of a monarch and why?

Ceseare Borgia was the person who Machiavelli modeled the prince after. Borgia was cruel but not for the sake of it, and had someone do his dirty work for him.

What did Rousseau find wrong about the civilized man studying the arts and sciences?

Civil man is too concerned with material and superficial things. He is alienated from his duties as a citizen because he is so concerned with fashion, money and prizes.

In what ways, if at all, does Hobbes think people are equal?

For Hobbes, people are fundamentally equal. In the end, everyone's abilities even out. If one person is stronger, someone else may be smarter, etc. All people are made of the same stuff, and use reason. They are guided by their passions and the fear of death.

what is the general will?

It is what is best for the society even if we cannot see it. - Rousseau

what type of government does machiavelli think is the longest lasting and why?

Republic is the most long lasting according to Machiavelli if good institutions are in place. They can serve the interests of lots of different groups and pursue the common good. It falls between autocracy and democracy.

What are the spoilage and sufficiency principles and how are they solved according to Locke?

Spoilage- people cannot have more property than they can use. Solution: money sufficiency- there has to be enough and as good of a good for everyone else. Solution: move to America

What is the main arguemnt of Locke's Letter on Toleration? Who is to be tolerated?

The point is that the state should not force conversion on people. Catholics should be tolerated, atheists should not.

what is virtu

a collection of traits that machiavelli thinks are necessary for a leader to be great, instead of simply good. it is not the same as virtue

covenant

an agreement that takes place in the future -hobbes

what is the individual will?

based on selfishness - Rousseau

one similarity between erasmus and machiavelli

both writing in the mirror of princes genre

one difference between erasmus and machiavelli

classical v modern theory, goodness v greatness, republicanism v monarchy, idealism v realism

what are the qualities of a good leviathan?

forgiving, patient, continuing to learn, understanding of human nature, listens to commoners, is capable of reason and follows natural laws

what is human nature according to Locke?

humans are inherently equal in their ability to reason. this leads the to follow the natural laws.

what did machiavelli believe human nature was?

humans are self serving. they can be manipulated/ shaped by institutions to make them good

how are people organized in the state of nature?

in families, patriarchal rule, laws of nature - locke

what role do institutions play in machiavellis theory ?

institutions are necessary to keep people from being selfish. Machiavelli thinks that religious institutions are necessary to have. christianity is the right religion, but policy should not be based on it.

What is liberalism (small l) and republicanism (small r)

liberalism- no one is above the law, the authority lies in the law, emphasis on the private sphere (Locke) republicanism- instituting a republican form of government (Machiavelli, Rousseau)

what is a contract

mutual transfer- Hobbes

are all leviathans good?

only good if they choose to be. some can be bad but they are still most likely better than the state of nature.

what drives humans in the state of nature according to hobbes?

passions, a fear of death

what is Rousseau's state of nature like?

solitary, ideal, not wanting for anything. no language

what is one similarity between Rousseau and machiavelli

the great legislator/founder, both have argued for a republic, both find religion useful

is a leviathan always just?

the leviathan is always just since he is justice and above the law.

does Rousseau think that society or the state of nature is preferable?

the state of nature

what did Rousseau think of religion?

thinks that there should be a state religion

when can the leviathan be dissolved

when the government is worse than the state of nature (almost never)