Hobbes and Tocqueville Overview

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key themes and concepts from the lecture notes on Hobbes and Tocqueville.

Leviathan

A work by Hobbes exploring the nature of human beings and societal organization through social contract theory.

Commonwealth

A political body created through a social contract where individuals agree to surrender some freedoms for security.

Power

A concept involving authority and governance, related to legitimacy and sovereignty.

State of Nature

A scenario without civil society, leading to competition for resources and insecurity among individuals.

Social Contract

An agreement among individuals to form a society and establish governance.

Legitimacy of Sovereignty

The authority of the sovereign is derived from the collective agreement of the populace.

Absolute Sovereignty

The sovereign holds ultimate authority with unquestioned power to maintain peace and security.

Civil Authority

The power of the state to govern and enforce laws without interference from religious institutions.

Ecclesiastical Power

Authority stemming from religious institutions, considered distinct from civil authority.

Responsibility of the Sovereign

The duty of the sovereign to ensure peace; failure may justify rebellion.

Human Condition

Driven by self-interest and competitive desires, leading to conflicts without regulation.

Despotism

A governing system characterized by the absolute and often oppressive power of a ruler.

Egotism

A vice that favors despotism, where individuals prioritize self over community.

Equality and Despotism

Despotism thrives on the isolation created by enforced equality among individuals.

Civic Engagement

The involvement of citizens in public matters that fosters collective consciousness.

Local Autonomy

Independent management of local interests, often without centralized hierarchical control.

Judicial Authority

The power of courts to uphold laws and ensure compliance without infringing on rights.

Political Health of Democracy

The stability and societal health linked to active engagement in democratic processes.

Jury System

An institution in governance reflecting direct citizen authority in law execution.

Trial by Jury

A political institution that signifies governance by the governed.

Absence of Central Government

A characteristic observed by European travelers in the United States.

Authority in Society

The essential need for some form of authority to prevent anarchy.

Majority Despotism

The phenomenon where the majority acts oppressively within a democracy.

Trust in Legal Profession

Public confidence in lawyers as guardians of legal order and stability.

Protection Rackets

Organized crime models viewed in relation to war making and state formation.

Monopoly of Violence

The state's unique capability to control concentrated means of violence.

Historical Context of Legal Profession

Lawyers playing vital roles in political stability and societal governance.

Political Observations on Law

Government legitimacy derived from recognition of authority rather than ethical principles.

Impacts of War on State Formation

Coercive exploitation as a critical factor in the development of European states.

Interactions of War and Statehood

How governance evolved through warfare and resource extraction.

Judicial Influence

The role of courts in guiding elected officials and maintaining democracy.

Compliance Challenges

Difficulties in ensuring local officials adhere to legislative mandates.

Local Governance

The administration primarily managed through townships, differing from centralized states.

Ethics of Governance

Moral considerations regarding the trade-off between individual freedoms and societal safety.

Administrative Power Structure

The decentralized nature of U.S. administrative law and authority.

Public Accountability

The obligation of elected officials to maintain stewardship over public interests.

Political Rights

The concept that instills a sense of responsibility within citizens.

Citizen Interaction

The fostering of social ties through electoral processes and community involvement.

Beyond Individualism

The need for societal engagement to counteract the isolation induced by equality.

Barriers to Civic Responsibility

Obstacles hindering individuals from participating in governance and community life.

Legislative Authority

The scope of laws enacted to govern local matters effectively.

Societal Impact of the Jury

How juries contribute to citizen education and promote political virtue.

Concentration of Power

The tendency of governance structures to centralize authority in fewer entities.

Civil vs Political Role of Juries

Juries balancing judicial functions while reflecting citizens' governance.

Despotism's Echo in Modern Governance

Current parallels between state behavior and organized criminality emphasizing violence dynamics.