Midterm 1

Question 1

Montesquieu’s 5 themes

Answer 1

Relativism
Women and Control
Virtue
Knowledge and Science
Enlightenment and Despotism `

Question 2

Rousseau’s main themes

Answer 2

Knowledge, advancement of science
Property, society, loss of culture, inequality
Simple, virtuous life
Development of arts and science
Useless knowledge
Inequality: need, mutual dependance, subjugation

Question 3

Smith’s Themes

Answer 3

Self-interest, exchange, universal opulence
Sympathy
Fortuitous opening
Importance of good wages for workers
Principle of utility

Question 4

Tocqueville’s Themes

Answer 4

Political liberty
Equal social conditions
PL determined by : geopolitics and accidents, habits of the heart, laws and institutions.

Question 5

What does Montesquieu think about virtue?

Answer 5

Doesn’t like it, in favour of passion, commercial societies

Question 6

What does Montesquieu think bout advancement and science?

Answer 6

Adores it, more educated = more tolerant

Question 7

What does M think about despotism?

Answer 7

Hates it : cruel and oppressive

Question 8

Nostalgie de la boue

Answer 8

Simple, virtuous life = Sparta

Question 9

Who does rousseau blame for our unhappiness?

Answer 9

Intellectuals with dreams and ideas

Question 10

Consequence of Arts and Science flourishing according to R?

Answer 10

never internally complete, no longer have moral untiy

Question 11

What’s the primary duty for R?

Answer 11

Protect the land

Question 12

Steps to creation of society? (R)

Answer 12

Development of agriculture and increase in population

Question 13

Amour de soi

Answer 13

Nature, internally complete, basic needs, happiness

Question 14

Amour propre

Answer 14

unnatural form of self love, constantly comparing yourself with others

Question 15

Steps that led to the loss of virtue (R)

Answer 15

no permanent establishments –> families, PP, social classes, D/L, dependance (about want and not need) –> agriculture+ slaves –> Envy

Question 16

How do you bring virtue back? (R)

Answer 16

leave society and go back to state of nature
social contract (force people to be free)

Question 17

General Will

Answer 17

the rule by which society is what’s best for you even if one people disagree

Question 18

Will of All

Answer 18

everyone agrees –> impossible

Question 19

How to avoid despotism? (R)

Answer 19

Self contained virtuous life
Dont trust the individual
Different groups, diversity is better

Question 20

How to avoid despotism? (M)

Answer 20

liberty, liberalism, commercial society, passion

Question 21

Two principle of Smith’s model of economy?

Answer 21

Division of labour

Principle of exchange and trade

Question 22

Division of labour

Answer 22

Development of skill, dexterity and expertise, machinery

Question 23

Principle of exchange and trade

Answer 23

Self interest

Question 24

6 steps in his model

Answer 24

Self-interest –> Market –> Division of Labour –> Specialization –> expertise, dexterities, machinery –> universal opulence

Question 25

Smith's 4 stages of history

Answer 25

hunters and gatherers - equal Pastoralism - domestication of animals, equal Agrarian society - master/slave relation, PP, agriculture Commercial society - last stage (y)

Question 26

How is it possible to move towards a commercial society? (smith)

Answer 26

Agriculture leads to cities Safer to improve land Improvement must come from countryside

Question 27

How did commerce in toms improve the country?

Answer 27

tradesman bring back education and money | manufacturers put order and organization in the countryside

Question 28

Fortuitous opening

Answer 28

shift to a different society is accidental

Question 29

Why is capitalism good according to Smith?

Answer 29

Brings order, better government, security and decreases violence

Question 30

What is the origin of ranks? (S)

Answer 30

Wanting to be admired (elite through wisdom and virtue, masses through wealth)

Question 31

Principle of utility?

Answer 31

trying to acquire wealth --> illusion of happiness | Good for society : distraction

Question 32

Factors that determine political liberty for T

Answer 32

Geopolitics and accidents Habits of the heart Laws and institutions

Question 33

2 forms of political regime

Answer 33

``` PL = decentralised Despotism = centralised ```

Question 34

ESC+PL=

Answer 34

Democracy

Question 35

Aristocracy doesn't have

Answer 35

ESC

Question 36

Despotism doesn't have

Answer 36

PL

Question 37

Majority of people participating in politics -->

Answer 37

Tyranny of the majority (Mill)

Question 38

The USA (6)

Answer 38

Lots of land, no standing army No fear of invasion = low taxes Church influential bc separate from state religion = increased ESC bc eyes of god all equal Decentralisation: federal system blocks power BORN FREE

Question 39

The only way you can have PL is through

Answer 39

the exercise of political liberty

Question 40

Self interest properly understood

Answer 40

realising necessity to preserve system

Question 41

Self interest

Answer 41

immediate short term gratification, gets in way of PL

Question 42

Ancien regime (6)

Answer 42

``` Aristocracy is useless Fear of invasion (undermines PL) Divide and rule policy No secularisation Centralisation Distrust --> social atomism ```

Question 43

If you have ESC, very hard to get

Answer 43

PL

Question 44

If you have PL

Answer 44

hope for ESC

Question 45

England

Answer 45

Aristocracy trusts system Decentralised Established church for upper and lower classes Island ---> no fear of invasion

Question 46

Culture of distrust given by

Answer 46

State

Question 47

Once a path is taken you can't stop it

Answer 47

Path-dependant theory of politics

Question 48

Why are high wages important for Smith

Answer 48

wages of labourers allows society to develop