WEEK 2 - What Is Politics? Flashcards
root of “politics”
polis = city state
originated in athens
politics have different definitions across…
space and time
history’s importance to politics…
political events - epochs - ages political ideas - thinkers/books - political concepts
art and science of governing
ancient/medieval - art
modern - science
post modern definition of politics
construction of and resistance to power in society as a whole
plato
greek philosopher
- republic 375 BC
“Republic”
- “how politics ought to be”
- purpose of politics to create justice
plato’s “just state”
- philosophers rule
- good of people paramount
cave analogy
plato analogy to represent human perception and show real knowledge comes from philosophical reasoning
Ancient Greek politics…
art of justice
medieval politics…
art of power
machiavelli
italian philosopher
- The Prince 1513
- called the father of modern political philosophy
“The Prince”
- politics how they are instead of how they ought to be
machiavelli’s purpose of politics…
to ensure power of the prince and maintain order
fortuna vs. virtu
virtu - ability to be ruthless and good
fortuna - uncontrollable circumstances humans can’t control
fortuna can be overcome by enough virtu
