Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Homo Economicus, Archos
5 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
September 22: in locke"s state of nature, the executive power of the law of nature is possessed by , each person, god, the sovereign, the police. An" + archos" = without rulers: claims we will be better off without government, co-operation is beneficial, so it tends to evolve. Hobbes"s reply to anarchism: fear, suspicion, and competition will overwhelm co-operation, a few bad apples can ruin everything (generate fear, benefit themselves, increase violence, etc. ) Two more anarchist responses: humans are naturally good, social co-operation without coercion (pressure to comply) is possible. Negative argument: the state is the only alternative to the state of nature. Why political authority is morally problematic: people are naturally free, equal, and independent, legitimate power is created by us, authority requires my consent. Key features of the state: it claims a monopoly of legitimate violence, in return, it is responsible for protecting us.
