Midterm Exam Flashcards
1
Q
Athenian Democracy:
What are the key principles of Athenian Democracy
A
- Inisomnia: Equality Before law.
- Isegoria: Equal Speech.
- Parrhesia: Frank Speech (speaking openly and honestly regardless of risks).
2
Q
Athenian Democracy:
Who criticized Athenian Democracy and why?
A
- The Old Oligarch criticized it for letting unqualified people rule.
3
Q
Plato:
What was Plato’s main critique of Democracy?
A
- Democracy is chaotic and ruled by emotions, leading to bad decision-making.
4
Q
Plato:
What is the Ship of State Anology?
A
- Democracy is like a ship where clueless sailors fight to steer. Only a trained navigator should rule, Philospopher-King.
5
Q
Plato:
What is the “Noble Lie”?
A
- A myth to mantain social order by making people accept their roles in society.
6
Q
Aristotle:
How did Aristotle view Democracy?
A
- Democracry has value but works best when balanced with oligarchy in a “mixed constitution”.
7
Q
Aristotle:
What does Aristotle mean by “Humans are political animals”?
A
- Humans naturally form governments and engage in political life.
8
Q
Machiavelli:
How did Machiavelli view politics?
A
- Politics should focus on power and pragmatism, not morality.
9
Q
Machiavelli:
What was Machiavelli’s view on class struggle?
A
- Class conflict (popolo vs. grandi) was essential for maintaining liberty.
10
Q
Hobbes:
What is Hobbes’ “State of Nature”?
A
- In an absence of government people live in a state of war.
- People fight over limited resources & attack first out of fear/paranoia.
- No laws, no justice, no security, only survival.
- This fear forces people to give up their freedoms in exchange for a leviathan (sovereign ruler).
11
Q
Hobbes:
Why does Hobbes advocate for an absolute sovereign?
A
- To prevent chaos and ensure peace, people must give up their rights to an all-powerful ruler.
12
Q
Locke:
How does Locke’s State of Nature differ from Hobbes’?
A
- It is not as chaotic; people have reason and natural rights (life, liberty, property).
13
Q
Locke:
What is Locke’s theory of property?
A
- People own land when they mix their labor with it.
14
Q
Locke:
What does Locke say about government overreach?
A
- If the government violates rights, the people have a right to rebel.
15
Q
Athenian Democracy:
How did Aristote define democracy vs. oligarchy?
A
- Democracy: Ruled by the poor.
- Oligarchy: Ruled by the rich.
16
Q
Plato:
What is Platos theory of justice in The Republic?
A
- Justice is when everyone performs the role they are best suited for. Rulers rule, Soliders defend, Workers produde.
17
Q
Plato:
Why does Plato belive Democracy leads to tyranny?
A
- Democracy gives too much freedom, leading to chaos and the rise of a tyrant.
18
Q
Aristotle:
What is Aristotles idea of “the best practical government”?
A
- A mix of democracy and oligarchy to balance and stability and fairness.
19
Q
Aristotle:
How does Aristotles idea of virtue realte to politics?
A
- Poliitics should cultivate virtue in citizens, leading to a flourishing society.
20
Q
Machiavelli:
What is Machiavellis concept of “Virtu”?
A
- The ability of a leader to be strong, strategic, and decisive in maintaining power.
21
Q
Machiavelli:
Why does Machiavelli admire the Roman Republic?
A
- Romes success came from it’s balance of class conflict and instituoinal stability.
22
Q
Hobbes:
Why does Hobbes belive a Leviathan is necessary?
A
- Without a strong ruler, people would constatnly be at war in a state of nature.
23
Q
Hobbes:
How does Hobbes define liberty?
A
- Freedom means the absence of external obstacles, not participation in government.
- Not about democracy, you’re free so long the law doesn’t forbid something.
- You can’t challenge the government but you can’t do something not clearly banned.
24
Q
Locke:
How does Locke justify the right to rebellion?
A
- If a government voilates natural rights, people have the right to overthrow.
25
Locke:
What is Lockes view on consent in government?
* Government is only legitimate if the people give their consent, either explicity or tacitly.
26
Describe the Athenian Democracies main ideas.
* Direct democracy.
* Key Ideas: 1. Isonomia (equality before law. 2. Isegoria (equal speech). 3. Parrhesia (frank speecch).
* Critic: "Democracy lets unqualified people rule".
* Support: "Justice & Governance belongs to all".
27
What is a key giveaway a quote is about Athenian Democracy?
* If the quote is about direct democracy, class struggle in Athens, or trusting the common people.
28
Describe Plato's main ideas.
* Critic of Democracy: People are dumb & ruled by their emotions.
* Ship of State Ananology: Democracy is like a ship with clueless sailors fighting to steer. Need Philosopher-Kings to rule/steer).
* The Republic: A utopia society where everyone does what their best suited for. Rulers rule, workers prodcue, etc.
* Classes in the City: Rulers, soliders, workers, etc.
* The Noble Lie: Propaganda is necessary to keep order.
29
What is a key giveaway a quote is about Plato?
* If the quote is about democracy being chaotic, needing wise rulers, or organizing society by "natural" roles.
30
Describe Aristotle's Main Ideas.
* Humans are political animals: we naturally form governments.
* Politics is about ethics.
* Best government = mixed consitution: Democracy + Oligarchy.
* Citizenship: Activley ruling and being ruled, participation is key.
* Democratic judgment: Crowds make better decisions than a few elites.
* Slavery: Some people are born slaves.
31
What is a key giveaway a quote is about Aristotle?
* If the quote is about balancing democracy & oligarchy, participation, or human nature.
32
Describe Machiavelli's main ideas.
* Politics isn't about ehtics: Rulers should focus on power, not morality.
* Republican liberty is best, but class conflict is necessary.
* The Discourses on Livy: Rome’s success came from conflict between nobles & commoners.
* Virtù vs. Fortuna: Strong leaders shape their own destiny.
* Christianity made people weak: It emphasizes humility over action.
* Ends justify the means: Rulers should be ruthless when necessary.
33
What is a giveaway a quote is about Machiavelli?
* If the quote is about power, class struggle, or the need for rulers to be pragmatic.
34
Describe Hobbes' main ideas.
* State of Nature: Life without government is a violent free-for-all.
* Social contract: We give up some rights to an all-powerful Leviathan (sovereign) in exchange for peace.
* Sovereign is absolute: No divided power, no rebelling.
* Liberty: Absence of opposition (but NOT democracy).
35
What is a giveaway a quote is about Hobbes?
* If the quote is about chaos without government, absolute power, or humans being selfish & fearful.
36
What are some of Locke's main ideas?
* State of Nature isn’t so bad, but we need government for efficiency.
* Natural rights: Life, liberty, and property.
* Government is a trust, not absolute power. If it violates rights, we can rebel.
* Property rights: You own land if you mix your labor with it.
* Consent: The only legit basis for rule (either explicit or tacit).
37
What is a giveaway a quote is about Locke?
* If the quote is about rights, limited government, property, or rebelling against tyranny.
