POLS 250: Edward Snowden and Social Contract Theories

Edward Snowden

Whistleblower revealing NSA surveillance issues.

Hero or Traitor Debate

Discussion on Snowden's actions and motivations.

Indirect Civil Disobedience

Breaking laws to challenge government policies.

Nonviolent Action

Methods that do not involve violence.

Conscientious Civil Disobedience

Political act against law for moral reasons.

Violation of Privacy Rights

Infringement on individual privacy by authorities.

Unconstitutional Surveillance State

Government monitoring without legal justification.

Lawful Reform

Attempting legal change before civil disobedience.

Social Contract

Theoretical agreement binding individuals to society.

Interest-Based Contract Theories

Agreements based on self-interest, not morality.

Right-Based Contract Theories

Agreements based on moral rights and principles.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher advocating for absolute rule for stability.

John Locke

Philosopher emphasizing individual rights in governance.

State of Nature

Hypothetical condition without government or laws.

Prisoner's Dilemma

Game theory scenario illustrating cooperation vs. defection.

Laws of Nature

Moral principles governing human behavior.

First Law of Nature

Seek peace as far as possible.

Second Law of Nature

Willingness to give up rights for peace.

Third Law of Nature

Obligation to uphold agreements made.

Rationality Account of Conflict

Conflicts arise from competition, diffidence, and glory.

Passions Account

Conflict driven by human emotions, especially glory.

Short-Sightedness Account

Immediate benefits lead to long-term cooperation failure.

Hobbes's Leviathan

Book outlining Hobbes's views on society and governance.

Civil Disobedience Definition

Public act against law for political change.

Critique of Social Contract

Challenges regarding race, gender, and indigenous rights.

Anarchism

Political philosophy opposing all forms of government.

Kropotkin and Goldman

Anarchist theorists advocating for social equality.