Key Political Theories and Philosophers

These flashcards contain key concepts, definitions, and philosophical theories discussed in the lecture.

What does John Rawls mean by 'Overlapping consensus'?

An agreement on the political conception of justice by citizens holding diverse, reasonable comprehensive doctrines.

What is a 'Well-ordered society' according to John Rawls?

A society where everyone accepts the same principles of justice, and the basic structure is known to satisfy those principles.

What does 'Reasonable pluralism' refer to in Rawls' theory?

The permanent condition in a democracy where citizens hold diverse, often conflicting, but reasonable comprehensive doctrines.

How does John Rawls define the 'Political conception of justice'?

A conception of justice applying only to the basic structure that is free-standing and acceptable across diverse comprehensive doctrines.

What is the 'Maximin/leximin' rule in the context of Rawls' Original Position?

Choose the alternative whose worst outcome is better than the worst outcome of any other alternative.

What is the 'Difference principle' in Rawls' theory?

Social and economic inequalities are permissible only if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.

Define 'Pure procedural justice' as described by Rawls.

A system where there is no independent criterion for the right outcome, but a fair procedure guarantees a just result.

What is the 'Original Position' in Rawls' theory?

A hypothetical scenario where free and equal citizens determine the principles of justice for the basic structure of society.

What is the 'Veil of Ignorance' in Rawls' philosophy?

The condition in the Original Position that blinds participants to their own social status, talents, and comprehensive doctrines.

What does Rawls mean by 'Basic structure'?

The main political and social institutions of society and the way they distribute fundamental rights and duties.

What are 'Primary goods' in Rawls' theory?

Things a rational person wants, regardless of their life plan, such as rights, liberties, income, wealth, and the social bases of self-respect.

What is the 'Leveling-down objection' related to Rawls' principles of justice?

The criticism that achieving equality might require reducing the holdings of the better-off, even without benefiting the worst-off.

Who is John Harsanyi and what is his main argument against Rawls?

He argued that rational contractors behind a Veil of Ignorance would choose the principle maximizing average utility, not Rawls's maximin.

What is Robert Nozick known for in political philosophy?

His historical, entitlement theory of justice focused on just acquisition and transfer of holdings, critiquing patterned theories like Rawls's.

What does 'Use value' mean according to Marx?

The capacity of a commodity to satisfy a human want or need.

How does Marx define 'Surplus value'?

The difference between the value generated by a worker's labor and the value of their labor power (wage), which is the source of capitalist profit.

What is the 'Labor theory of value'?

The theory that the value of a commodity is determined by the amount of socially necessary labor time required to produce it.

Define 'Totalitarianism' based on George Orwell's theories.

A political system where the state holds total authority over all aspects of public and private life.

What is the 'Harm Principle' according to John Stuart Mill?

The sole justification for society to interfere with individual liberty is to prevent harm to others.

What did Martin Luther King Jr. describe as 'Nonviolent Direct Action'?

A method of protest using peaceful resistance and civil disobedience to create a crisis that forces negotiation.

What is the distinction between Just vs. Unjust laws according to MLK?

A Just law aligns with the moral law; an Unjust law degrades human personality and is imposed by a majority on a minority.