prelims

Political Theory

A set of specified relationships focusing on political matters to describe, explain, and predict political events, encompassing doctrines about the state's origin, form, behavior, and purpose.

Political Philosophy

The traditional view considered it synonymous with political theory until the 19th century, emphasizing a universal theory of life's ideal nature, while political theory seeks causal explanations.

Ancient Greek Democracy Exclusions

Excluded categories were slaves, women due to patriarchy, and foreign citizens, limited to adult free male citizens.

Plato's Political View

Emphasizes rationalism, philosopher-kings, opposes democracy, advocates for equality, and stresses the importance of the right education for the rulers.

Plato's Traits for Philosopher-King

Wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice, with a constant passion for knowledge and a focus on ethics and morality.

Plato's Idea of Education

Holistic education aiming at shaping character and soul, combining physical training, music, mathematics, and philosophy to achieve the good life.

Plato's View on Ignorance and Morality

Plato asserts that ignorance leads to moral evil, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in discerning right from wrong.

Dangers of Democracy

Plato warns against democracy due to unqualified rulers, compromised morality, and the risk of decisions based on popularity rather than virtue.

Classes of People in a State According to Plato

Workers (appetites), auxiliaries (courage), and rulers (intellect), with a focus on philosopher-kings as guardians.

Aristotle's Political View

Aristotle's ideology is polity, focusing on political virtue, subordination of women to men, defense of slavery, and the acquisition of knowledge through observation.

Eudaimonia

Aristotle's concept of the good life, referring to human flourishing and well-being, achieved through the cultivation and exercise of rational faculties.

Justice (Aristotle)

A virtue allowing individuals to give each person their due, categorized into distributive, corrective, and legal justice.

Goodness (Aristotle)

Fulfilled through virtuous activity, maintaining character balance, and achieving eudaimonia.

Beauty (Aristotle)

Defined by order, symmetry, and definiteness, quantifiable in mathematical sciences, influencing Greek art and architecture.

Good Man vs

The goodness of a good man is absolute, while the goodness of an upright citizen is relative to the city of citizenship.

Machiavelli's Political Theory

Focuses on the contest for power in politics, advocating for strong government, influenced by figures like Rodrigo Borgia and Cesar Borgia.

Types of Principalities (Machiavelli)

Hereditary, New, Mixed, and Ecclesiastical principalities, each with distinct characteristics and challenges.

Virtu (Machiavelli)

Involves boldness, courage, discipline, and organization, essential qualities for a prince.

Virtu and Fortuna (Machiavelli)

Virtu is wasted without opportunity, and opportunity is wasted without virtu, emphasizing the cooperation between the two forces.

Rewards and Punishment (Machiavelli)

Discusses the dilemma of being feared or loved, highlighting the ungrateful, fickle nature of people in general.