midterm poli theory

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Before that day, there had been no putting words on clay” (enmerkar, p. 85)

main idea: writing and the power of it

context: early Mesopotamia; origin of writing for rulers -before languages could not be permanently recorded

meaning: writing created to manage complex communication

significance: writing = foundation of state power, administration and control over information —- keys to political authority

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“He bolted the sevenfold gates of Uruk, he convened the assembly, the crowd gathered round” (Gilgamesh, p. 20)

assembly

context: Gilgamesh asserts authority by organizing the people and securing Uruk

meaning: king controls people + infrastructure

significance: early kingship = centralized, powerful, semi-oppressive rule

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“O Ur-shanabi, climb Uruk’s wall and walk back and forth! Survey its foundations, examine the brickwork!” (gilgamesh p. 99)

context:Gilgamesh points to the city walls as his lasting achievement after failing to gain immortality

meaning: shows pride in his accomplishment that is the people and the city — political and civic achievements outlast individual life

significance: immortality is reframed as legacy through political construction and civilization, not eternal life

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Let me make your name in this land” (Eloquen Peasant, pg. 4)

walls of Uruk

context: "poor man appealing to elite for justice after being wronged — wants his name to be remembered

meaning: he wants recognition and moral vindication

significance: shows the accountability of elites to common people

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Filial, only be filial, a friend to elder and younger brothers — this contributes to government” (confucius p. 22)

justice and recognition

context: Confucius connects family relationships to political order, arguing that being a good family member contributes to governance

meaning: the moral behavior in private life translates into public virtue

significance: good government is rooted in ethics, hierarchy, and social harmony—not just laws

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“The king’s dogs and pigs eat food intended for human beings and he does not know enough to prohibt this” (Mencius, p. 4)

ruler’s neglect

context: mencius criticizes rulers who allow resources to be wasted while people suffer

meaning: that rulers fail morally when they neglect basic welfare

significance: legitimacy depends on caring for the people, and rulers can be critized - or overthrown - if they fail

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Now, if anyone were suddenly to see a child about to fall into a well, his mind would be filled with alarm, distress, pity, and compassion.” (Mencius, p 35)

context: humans naturally feel compassion

meaning: morality is innate, not learned

significance: supports the idea that rulers should govern in ways that reflect and grow human goodness, not suppress it

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Although a man may be the descendant of commoners, if he has acquired learning, is upright in conduct, and can adhere to ritual principles, he should be promoted to the post of prime minister or high court official” (Xunzi, p. 26)

context: argues that individuals should be promoted based on ability, not status

meaning: social roles should be earned through learning and discipline

significance: supports a more structured, merit-based bureaucracy grounded in education and ritual

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“In listening to reports and propposals, if you are too stern and severe and have no patience in guiding and drawing others out, then youe subordinate will be fearful and distant and will withdraw into themselves and be unwilling to speak” (Xunzi, p. 26)

context: warns rulers against being too harsh—discourages honest communication

meaning: fear undermines governance

significance: good rule requires cultivating trust and openness, not just authority

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“All that is appropriate,” says Kautilya; “For the capability of an individual is measured by his capability to carry out undertakings” (Arthashastra, p 73)

context: reflects a sensible view of governance

meaning: that a person’s worth is measured by effectiveness in achieving goals

significance: emphasizes realism, strategy, and skillful management, not moral idealism

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Because his mind is obsessed, he is frightened, distressed, and anxious, and through clinging he becomes agitated” (In the Buddha’s Words, p. 34)

context: this describes how obsession leads to anxiety and distress

meaning: suffering comes from attachment and desire

significance: suggests that rulers and individuals alike should practice detachment and self-control, influencing a more ethical and less power-driven politics

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“King Priyadarsi considers moral conquest (that is, conquest by Dharma, dharma-vijaya) the most important conquest (Asoka, p. 29)

context: Asoka promotes conquest through moral influence rather than violence

meaning: ethical governance is superior to military domination

significance: a major shift toward nonviolent imperial rule and moral leadership

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“There were some developments … which were extremely beneficial for the Ionians” (Herodotus p. 366)

context: refers to developments (often Persian rule or interactions) that unexpectedly benefited Greek populations

meaning: historical events can have mixed outcomes

significance: shows early analysis of empire, cultural exchange, and unintended consequences

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“We are free and generous not only in our public activities as citizens, but also in our daily lives” (Thucydides, p. 40)

context: describes Athens as both politically free and socially open

meaning: citizens enjoy liberty in both public and private life

significance: ideal of democratic citizenship and civic pride

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“For we alone think that a man who does not take part in public affairs is good for nothing, while other only say he is ‘minding his own business” (Thucydides, p. 42)

context: emphasizes that participation in politics is a duty

meaning: disengagement equals uselessness

significance: defines democracy as active involvement, not passive existence

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Be sure that if you kill the sort of man I say I am, you will not harm me more than yourselves” (Plato, Apology, p. 28)

context: socrates is defending Plato’s apology — argues that killing him harms athens more than himself

meaning: is that silencing truth harms osciety

significance: the idea that philosphy and self-examination are essential to political life

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“The principle that the multitude ought to be in power rather than the few best might seem to be solved and to contain some difficulty and perhaps even truth” (Aristotle, p. 2033)

context: aristotle considers whether the many can rule better than the few

meaning: collective judgement may have value

significance: supports a balanced view of democracy

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“There are generally thought to be two principal forms: as men say of the winds that there are but two, north and south, and that the rest of them are only variations of these, so of government there are said to be only two forms” (Aristotle, p. 2047)

context: he simplifies governments into basic types

meaning: political systems can be categorized and compared

significance: early political science and classification of regimes

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Thus it is manifest that the best political community is formed by citizens of the middle class” (Aristotle p. 2057)

context: he argues that stability comes from a strong middle class

meaning: extremes of both wealth or poverty destabilize politics

significance: supports moderation and balance politically

a) the context of the quote; b) a paraphrase of its
meaning in your own words; c) its broader significance within the author’s political theory:

“Yet the true friend of the people should see that they are not too poor, for extreme poverty lowers the character of the democracy” (Aristotle, pp. 2095-96)

context: warns that extreme poverty harms democratic character

meaning: inequality weakens civic virtue

significance: economic conditions directly affect political stability

SHORT ANSWER (compare contrast) : The Eloquent Peasant and Mencius on justice toward the common people

(JUSTICE)

• both emphasize justice for the common people but approach it differnetly

• EP focuses on appealing to authority—(specific case of poor man wrong by someone in greater power and must appeal to higher authroity) —> his speech shows the idea that justice depends on rulers listening and correcting

  • justice depends on rulers listening and correcting wrongs

• Mencius argues that rulers have a moral obligation rooted in human nature to care for the people —-govern with compassion and provide for people’s basic needs

• Mencius (child flaling into well) - ongoing moral obligation of rulers —thinks people have a natural incline towards goodness

• key difference: EP shows accountability through complaint

• mencius builds a philosphical justification for king and understanding rule

• BOTH: show that justice requires both institutions and leadership guided with morals

SHORT ANSWER (compare contrast) on immortality and politics: Gilgamesh vs. Eloquent Peasant

(Immortality & Politics)

• gilgamesh wants immortailty through literal eternal life and finds it in lasting political achievements like the city walls — true immortality is in achievements of his civilization -walls represent political order and legacy of kingship

• EP wants immortality through justice of his case and recongition of his voice -legacy can be granted through being heard and validated

• CONTRAST: gilgamesh shows top-down legacy through power and EP represents bottom-up legacy through moral truth

• COMPARE: connect immortality to politics

• different paths to lasting significance: through power and infrastructure, or through justice and ethical recognition.

SHORT ANSWER (compare contrast) on importance of economic considerations for good government: Aristotle vs. Mencius

(Economics & Government)

• both see economic conditions as crucial to good governance

• mencius emphasizes that rulers must ensure basic welfare to maintain moral welbeing — cultivates their innate goodness

• aristoitle aruges that inequality (esp. poverty) destroys political stability -inequality can destabilze a government

• DIFFERENCE: mencius frames economics as moral duty / aristotle presents it as a structural necessity for stability

• together: show that economics is both ethical and practical in politcs

SHORT ANSWER (compare contrast) on freedom:Asoka vs. Thucydides

(Freedom)

difference in political and cultural contexts

Asoka wants freedom through nonviolence and moral governance —> ethical improement (Converted to buddhism)

Thucydides wants political participation and civic liberty —athenian democracy - active participation in public and private life

CONTRAST: between internal/moral freedom (Asoka) and external/political freedom (Athens)

both value freedom but defined differently: as ethical self-restraint and other as active citizenship

SHORT ANSWER (compare contrast) and relationship between self knowledge: Plato v. Buddha

(Self-Knowledge & Politics)

• both stress self-knowledge but for different purposes

• in plato’s Apology he argues that examining oneself leads to truth and better political life

• buuddha teaches self-understanding reveals sources of human suffering — attachment and desire

• key difference is that plato links self-knowledge to active engagement in politics — buddha leans towards withdrawal from worldly desires

• together show two paths: philosophical engagement v. spiritual detachment