Political Science 1020E Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Positive Liberty, Totalitarianism, Cosmopolitanism
26 Mar 2016
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what is politics: the elements of politics. What is a state: territorial community, centralized governing authority, sovereignty, including monopoly of legitimate violence. What is power: the ability to produce results, influencing others" behavior, power can take several forms. Change the way they think, want what you want them to want. Thomas hobbes: the state of nature. Imagine a state of nature, the natural condition of humans, without formal political power. Powerful state is needed to avoid disastrous interpersonal conflict. Main premises: human nature: self-interested, status, equally vulnerable, rational to attack others and everyone would be on the war path to secure their own life. Laws of nature: fundamental law: seek peace, if you can get it, second law: lay down natural right, if others do too, third law: perform your covenants. Locke: why we need a state: inconveniences. Some lack power to enforce law of nature: state of nature. Free to do only what i have a right to do.
