What is Politics?

What is the roots of the word politics?

Polis = City-state (Greek)

What causes the different definitions of politics?

1. Space: Geographical differences

2. Time: Historical Differences

Is politics an art or science in Ancient/Medieval definitions?

An Art

Is politics an art or science in Modern definitions?

A Science

What is the Post-modern Definition of Politics?

“The construction of and resistance to power in society as a whole.”

What does Plato’s Republic state about politics?

The purpose of politics is to create justice, individual and polis

According to Plato’s Republic, what are the three parts of the Individual ?

1. Rational (Reason)

2. Emotive (Spirit)

3. Appetitive (Passions)

According to Plato’s Republic, what are the three parts of the State ?

1. Rulers

2. Warriors

3. Artisan/Producer/ Ordinary People

What parts of the individual corresponds to the different roles in society? According to Plato’s Republic

Reason → Rulers

Emotive → Warriors

Appetitive → Ordinary People

According to Plato’s Republic, what is the “Just State”

Philosophers’ Rule

1. Those who seek knowledge should rule

2. There is a perfect form of everything in this world

3. the “good” of people is paramount

What reveals Plato’s view on politics?

The Analogy of the Cave

What is Machiavelli’s view on politics, expressed through The Prince

• Viewed politics are a struggler for power (doesn’t view politics as justice)

• Politics is to maintain order and power structures

• The ends justify the means

What is virtu as defined in The Prince?

• A military campaign; cunning; adaptivity

• Your preparation

What is Fortuna as defined by The Prince?

• your Luck; the unpredictable; your fate

Where do Plato’s and Machiavelli’s views overlap?

1. The public is slow to change

2. Politics is an art

3. Politics is elitist

Where do Plato and Machiavelli’s views clash>

1. Justice/Goodness vs Power

Politics is a branch of ethics and concerned with serving the public good (Plato)

Politics is about power and requires “dirty hands” (Machiavelli)