Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Rationality
30 Mar 2017
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According to the preferred definition of politics from the last lecture, politics Imagine life without the state and political power** Powerful state is needed to avoid disastrous interpersonal conflict. Felicity = being successful and getting what you want. Power = i need power in order to get what i want . Uncertainty - everyone is an uncertain threat, people are anticipators. Continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, Natural right of liberty (the right of nature)** Laws of nature - don"t do to other what you don"t want them to do to you. Fundamental law - seek peace, if you can get it. Second law - lay down your natural right, if others do too. It is rational for individuals to attack others. It is rational for the collective to seek peace. The state provides assurance that the laws of nature will be followed (otherwise it would be hell on earth)**
