political philosophy test

political philosophy

study of the relationship between people and society, and how governments, laws, and politics should function

Core Concerns of political philosophy

power, authority, justice, liberty, equality, sovereignty, rights

political philosophy

study of the relationship between people and society, and how governments, laws, and politics should function

Core Concerns of political philosophy

power, authority, justice, liberty, equality, sovereignty, rights

power

ability to influence, direct, or lead the actions, beliefs, or conduct of others

authority

the power of a political entity to require action and obedience to its rules

justice

establishes balance and fairness in how people are treated and how claims are distributed among individuals and institutions

liberty

absence of disabling conditions and fulfillment of enabling conditions

equality of opportunity

everyone has the same starting point

equality of outcome

fair distribution of resources and results

sovereignty

the concept of supreme authority or dominant power over a person or institution

rights

entitlements to perform or refrain from certain actions, or to be in specific states

natural rights

inherent to all individuals

state of nature

life before organized society

Hobbes' state of nature

life is "nasty, brutish, and short"

Hobbes' ideal type of government

strong central authority

Locke's state of nature

involves freedom and equality but lacks security - people can live peacefully but lack protection of their property

Locke's natural rights

life, liberty, and property

Locke's ideal type of government

limited government

Rousseau's state of nature

natural humans were compassionate and free in a world of abundance

Rousseau's ideal type of government

direct democracy

US Constitution

modern example of a formal social contract

Core Concerns of justice

People should get what they need

People should give what they can

People should keep what they are entitled to

People should get what they deserve

Types of Justice

distributive, retributive, and procedural

distributive justice

fair allocation of resources and benefits within society

retributive justice

fair punishment for wrongdoing

procedural justice

fairness in decision-making processes

equality

treating people with fairness

types of equality

legal, political, economic, and social

legal equality

equal protection under the law

political equality

equal access to political rights and participation

economic equality

fair distribution of wealth and resources

social equality

Equal access to societal benefits and opportunities

key theories of equality

formal, substantive, opportunity, and outcome

formal equality

Equal treatment under the same rules

substantive equality

Addressing structural barriers to create fairness

equality of opportunity

Equal access to opportunities

equality of outcome

Equal results for all individuals

original position

hypothetical scenario where rational individuals choose principles of justice from a position of equality, imagining themselves as free and equal morals

veil of ignorance

ignoring one's social status, natural talents, race, gender, and personal concept of the good, ensuring decisions are made without bias

purpose of original position and veil of ignorance

to ensure impartiality and fairness in the selection of justice principles by preventing personal circumstances from influencing rhetorical choice of societal rules

Rawls' focus

focuses on fairness and benefit to the least advantaged

Nozick's focus

focuses on historical justice and voluntary exchange