Modern Political Theory Exam 1

What is the state of nature?

The state of nature is a thought experiment where philosophers ask themselves how human nature worked before the formation of any form of government or institution. It tries to observe what led humans to leave this condition in the first place, which led to the creation of the first institutions. Many thinkers and philosophers will reach vastly different conclusions on this subject.

Rousseau vs. Hobbes on state of nature Summary

Hobbes: Society saves us from our nature

Rousseau: Society ruins us despite our nature

What is Locke’s theory of the commonwealth?

Locke believed humans enter political society voluntarily to better protect rights they already possess in the state of nature: life, liberty, and property. Unlike Hobbes, the government doesn't grant you rights; it protects pre-existing ones.

What does virtu mean in the context of Machiavelli’s “The Prince”?

The combination of capability + willpower + adaptability to gain, maintain, and expand power.

What problem does the social contract try to solve?

The social contract tries to solve the problem of how humans can live together peacefully and securely without constantly being at each other's throats. It answers the question: why should free individuals submit to political authority, and what makes that authority legitimate?

What does legitimate government look like according to Rousseau?

It should genuinely represent the general will of the populace that gives everyone a fair say in the social contract, without the influence of any threats or coercion.

What are the key points that Rousseau made about Man in the state of nature?

Human beings in the wild are free and are not entrapped by institutions. They are physically much stronger to be on their own. They are autarkic. Human beings have a natural tendency to improve, but over time, this tendency leads to the formation of communities. But before that, human beings were mostly on their own

Why did Rousseau beleive that the creation of society brought out the worst aspects of human nature?

People in the state of nature had no concept of what is moral or immoral, as they did not have the consciousness of having any vanity or greed. This all began when humans started comparing themselves to others during their leisure in a shared space, which most likely happened when humans stopped being hunters and gatherers and began to master argicullture.

How does a government break down according to Locke?

1. A ruler replaces law with his own arbitrary will

2. A ruler blocks the legislature from meeting or operating freely

3. Elections are rigged or changed without the people's consent

4. The people are handed over to a foreign power

What is Locke’s theory of the commonwealth?

• People band together not to be oppressed but to preserve natural rights

• Legislature is the "soul" of government — protects rights like fences protect property

• The government's only purpose: to preserve and enlarge natural freedoms

What is Hobbes’ Theory of the Sovreiegn?

The sovereign is the supreme political authority that citizens surrender their rights and freedoms to in exchange for security and order. It is irrevocable — meaning once you give up that authority, you cannot take it back

Should A Leader be Feared or Loved?

- To be feared, b/c love requires obligation, which men often break. Can easily be abandoned

- While fear is never abandoned b/c there’s always the repercussion of severe punishment in the back of everyone’s minds

According to Machiavelli, what makes a prince prudent?

For Machiavelli, a prudent prince is one who possesses virtù — not moral virtue, but the skill, adaptability, and decisive force needed to seize opportunity and maintain power

What are the 4 types of Virtu that Machiavelli mentions?

• Virtu And Fortune

• Military Virtù

• Political Virtù

• Strategic Virtù

Virtu And Fortune

How proactive you are in preparing for disasters, and how well you take advantage of opportunities when they arise

Military Virtù

A prince must understand the art of war both physically and mentally. This includes:

• Studying military strategy

• Understanding the terrain

• Learning from the victories and defeats of past commanders

• Never outsourcing you army to foreign mercanaries

Political Virtu

• Manage appearances — maintain the image of a good Christian even if your actions are not

• Better to be feared than loved, but never hated

• Be willing to break promises when necessary — consistency in deception matters more than honesty

Strategic Virtu

Engineering a political enviornment that benefits you the most such as maintaining stable alliances/coalitions to your favor

What was the core arguement about between Sepulveda and De Las Casas?

There’s a debate on how they should treat the natives in the newly colonized Americas.

Sepulveda’s arguement

Sepulveda favored the enslavement of the natives

Why did Sepulveda favor enslaving the native populations?

• Natives were natrually born to be slaves because they had the choice to form a democracy, but chose to be under subjecation by electing a king

• He believed that the natives needed to be civilized. Natives practiced cannibalism. They are subhuman.

• No written language, art, history, etc

• There’s no private property. King owns everything. They foolishly transfer everything to the king.

• Militarily, the natives were cowards. They were constantly at war with each other, but whenever they confronted Spanish forces, they scattered around like little girls.

What did De Las Casas favor?

He did not believe they shoud be enslaved or conquered by force. Dignifies the intellegience of the natives.

What did De Las Casas observe about their political system?

Chooses its kings based on merit instead of hereditary lines. Kings preserved the public good over the private benefit.

What did De Las Casas appreciate about their religion?

Their religion is closer to Christianity than the Greeks and Romans. Nourished a type of soul that makes them ready to receive Christianity. They don’t need to be converted from force.

What did De Las Casas appreciate about their infrastructure system and engineering?

• Inca highway system

• Machu Pichu withstood earthquakes for centuries

What did De Las Casas appreciate about their economic system?

• Had a census and welfare state

• Everyone had a job. Had abundant deposits. The economy was at a surplus. Produced and saved a lot. They had the foresight to prepare for a crisis.

• These reserves are distributed during bad times.

What did De Las Casas appreciate about their military?

Their soldiers were well trained, disciplined, and orderly.