GVPT459Y Political Theory: Ideology, Liberty, Nationalism & Revolution

What is the central question posed by Philip Converse in his 1964 work?

Do ordinary people have organized, consistent political belief systems similar to those held by political elites?

What is Converse's conclusion regarding ordinary people's political ideologies?

Most ordinary people do not have highly structured political ideologies.

Define 'ideology' as per the notes.

Having opinions that are connected by broader principles and a larger belief system.

What is a belief system?

A set of ideas, attitudes, and beliefs that are connected to one another in meaningful ways.

What does 'constraint' refer to in the context of belief systems?

The extent to which beliefs are connected so that a change in one belief produces predictable change in other beliefs.

What does high constraint indicate about political beliefs?

Opinions are highly likely to change if one opinion changes.

What does low constraint indicate about political beliefs?

Opinions are not connected by a clear ideological principle and are unlikely to change if one opinion changes.

What did Converse find about correlations between different political attitudes among ordinary citizens?

Correlations were weak, indicating low constraint.

How do political elites differ from ordinary citizens regarding belief systems?

Political elites tend to have highly constrained belief systems, while ordinary citizens generally have low levels of constraint.

What are the levels of conceptualization identified by Converse?

Ideologues, Near-Ideologues, Group-benefit thinkers, Nature-of-the-times thinkers, No-Issue Content, Nonattitudes.

Who are ideologues?

Individuals who understand politics through broad ideological principles.

What characterizes near-ideologues?

They have some understanding of ideological ideas but do not use them consistently or accurately.

What do group-benefit thinkers focus on in politics?

They think about politics primarily in terms of whether policies benefit particular groups.

What is the perspective of nature-of-the-times thinkers?

They judge politics based on general conditions or whether things seem to be going well.

Define 'No-Issue Content'.

People who show little or no connection between their political opinions and political issues.

What is a nonattitude?

An opinion that is weak, unstable, not based on much information, and easily changed.

What does the nonattitudes thesis suggest about survey responses?

A response may not represent a deeply held belief and can change over time.

What is the relationship between political knowledge and ideological constraint?

The more knowledgeable a person is, the more likely their beliefs will resemble an organized belief system.

How does party identification relate to ideological identification?

Most voters identify with a party (Republican or Democrat) before they identify with an ideology (conservative or liberal).

What is John Locke's view on political authority?

Legitimate political authority must come from the consent of the people, not inherited.

What is the 'state of nature' according to Locke?

A condition where people are free, equal, independent, and not subject to a common political authority.

What motivates people to give up some freedoms to create a government, according to Locke?

Security.

What does the general public's inconsistency in opinions suggest about their political beliefs?

The average citizen does not have a well-organized ideological belief system.

What contradiction does democratic theory face regarding citizens' political understanding?

Democratic theory assumes citizens understand political issues and have meaningful political preferences, which contradicts the reality of many citizens lacking coherent belief systems.

How did Trump appeal to Republican voters despite his inconsistent conservatism?

He understood that party identification trumps ideology among the general public.

What is the state of nature in political philosophy?

A condition where rights are hard to protect reliably and there are no established laws.

Why do people create government?

To provide greater security for their rights and property.

What is the role of an impartial judge in government?

To make decisions that avoid individual biases.

What does the social contract entail?

Individuals agree to join a political community to protect themselves.

What is express consent in the context of political authority?

When someone explicitly agrees to become part of a political society.

What is tacit consent?

Demonstrating consent indirectly by enjoying the benefits of a government's laws.

What is the main purpose of government according to political philosophy?

The preservation of property.

What is tyranny?

Exercising power beyond the authority that was legitimately given.

What is the difference between negative and positive liberty?

Negative liberty is freedom from interference, while positive liberty is the freedom to act and achieve self-realization.

What is the Harm Principle proposed by Mill?

The only justification for state power to interfere with an individual's liberty is to prevent harm to others.

What does Mill warn about in democratic societies?

The danger of social conformity enforced by public opinion.

What is the significance of tradition in conservatism?

Tradition shapes social identity and maintains social continuity.

What does Burke argue about political authority?

It must align with moral law and be viewed as a sacred duty.

What is the relationship between religion and government according to Burke?

Religion is essential for restraining selfish power and creating unity.

How does Herder view happiness in different cultures?

Happiness is culturally relative and cannot be universally defined.

What is the critique of enlightenment philosophers by Herder?

They imposed their ideas of happiness onto distant cultures without recognizing cultural differences.

What does Berlin mean by negative freedom?

The area within which a person can act unobstructed by others.

What does Berlin mean by positive freedom?

The freedom to act, choose, and achieve self-realization, driven by internal reason.

What is the role of the family in conservatism?

The family is a non-contractual institution that shapes individual identity and social order.

What does Mill advocate for regarding the working class?

Gradual, pragmatic reforms and cooperative enterprise rather than violent revolution.

What is the argument against absolute government by Locke?

Political authority must come from the consent of the governed.

What is the significance of majority decisions in a political community?

Individuals agree to accept majority decisions when they join the community.

What is the concept of property in political philosophy?

Includes life, liberty, and material possessions.

What does Locke say about the right to resist government?

People have the right to resist or replace a government that violates its purpose.

What does the concept of social contract imply about the state?

The state is a partnership that connects all living, dead, and future beings.

What does Mill believe about suppressing opinions?

Suppressing any opinion robs humanity, even if the opinion is wrong.

What is the danger of unrestricted negative liberty?

It could lead to chaos.

What is the importance of diversity according to Mill?

Diversity in lifestyles, character, and ideas is essential for human progress.

What is the primary factor that forms modern nations according to Renan?

Historical processes, not shared blood.

What does Renan reject as uniting factors for nations?

Language, religion, and geography.

How does Renan define a nation?

As a soul or spiritual principle.

What does the concept of 'daily plebiscite' imply about national identity?

National identity is legitimate only with ongoing consent and free choice of its people.

What is 'political peoplehood' as described by Smith?

A human group becomes a political people when its authority can override claims from other associations.

What dual goals do leaders have in constructing narratives of peoplehood?

Encouraging membership and justifying their own group's right to lead.

What are the three types of narratives leaders can use to build trust and worth?

Economic stories, political power stories, and constitutive stories.

What does Sapolsky suggest about human tendencies towards aggression and in-group bias?

Humans are likely to divide the world into 'us versus them' and have automatic biases towards outsiders.

According to Sapolsky, how can humans train their aggressive tendencies?

Through socialization and exposure to diverse groups.

What is the significance of a coherent national history in liberal democracy according to Lepore?

It is essential for survival and prevents distortion by illiberal forces.

What are the two types of nationalism described by Lepore?

Civic/liberal nationalism and illiberal/ethnic nationalism.

What is the primary focus of the 'Industrial System' as described by Saint Simon?

The transition from a feudal/ecclesiastical system to an industrial/scientific system.

What does Marx and Engel argue about the nature of class conflict?

It simplifies into two opposing camps: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

What is the role of the bourgeoisie in the modern state according to Marx?

They manage the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie and eliminate feudal relations.

What does Lenin criticize about social-democratic factions?

Their focus on economism and limiting working-class struggle to trade unionism.

What is the ideal role of a popular tribune according to Lenin?

To respond to tyranny and connect isolated grievances into a unified picture of exploitation.

What is the goal of the Chinese Communist Party during the New-Democratic Revolution?

To target imperialism and feudalism under proletarian leadership.

What are the Three People's Principles in the Chinese Revolution?

Alliance with Russia, cooperation with the Communist Party, and assistance to peasants and workers.

What does Mussolini argue about the state in fascism?

The state is the ultimate reality and central moral authority, creating the nation.

How does fascism view individualism and liberalism?

It rejects individualism and classical liberalism for placing state interests above individual interests.

What does Mussolini mean by anti-democracy in fascism?

Rejecting rule by simple numerical majority in favor of a qualitative embodiment of the collective will.

What is the relationship between the state and the nation in fascism?

The state creates the nation by instilling a unified moral will and collective consciousness.

What is the significance of citizenship in the context of nationalism?

It reflects a collective desire to live together and is essential for national identity.

What does the term 'self-serving leadership' imply in the context of political identity?

Leaders construct narratives that serve their interests while promoting group identity.

How do narratives of economic stories contribute to national identity?

They emphasize shared material incentives and mutual prosperity.

What does the concept of 'mutual economic interests' suggest about national boundaries?

They create commercial agreements rather than homelands.

What does the term 'inherent exclusion' refer to in political communities?

The necessity to prioritize core constituencies and exclude rival groups.

How does the concept of 'shared suffering' unify people according to Renan?

It creates a stronger bond than shared joy.

What is the role of historians in shaping national narratives according to Lepore?

Historians must provide an honest, inclusive narrative to prevent populist distortions.

What does the term 'class political consciousness' refer to in Lenin's view?

The understanding of how social classes interact with the state and society.

What are the two distinct stages of the Chinese revolution as described by Mao?

The Democratic Revolution and the Socialist Revolution.

What does the term 'totalitarian state' mean in the context of fascism?

The state is seen as the ultimate reality and moral authority, overriding individual values.