Midterm studying

Question 1

What are the types of inequality according to jean jacques russeau?

Answer 1

Natural inequality, and Moral inequality

Question 2

What is natural inequality according to Jean Jacques Russeau?

Answer 2

The inequality based on physical attributes in humans

Question 3

What is moral inequality according to Jean Jacques Russeau?

Answer 3

inequality with wealth, power and property. States established inequality increase with time

Question 4

What is the state of nature according to Thomas Hobbes?

Answer 4

• human beings lack government
• natural conditions -> violence, insecurty, constant threat
• Chaotic and wild
• all adults can threaten one another - equality
• from equality rises competition over resources

Question 5

What is Thomas Hobbes quote on how humans live?

Answer 5

people live in “continual fear and danger of violent death”

Question 6

What is the state of nature according to Jean Jacques Rosseau?

Answer 6

Men are solitary
Men are wild
Men are born free and equal

Question 7

What are the three qualities that men have according to Jean Jacques Rosseau?

Answer 7

Qualities of:
Amor de soi - striving for self preservation
Pitie - compassion for others
Perfectibilite - maleable, and strive for perfection

Question 8

What does Jean Jacques Rosseau say about the state of nature?

Answer 8

The state of nature is peaceful but disrupted by competition

Question 9

What does Jean Jacques Rosseau say about civil society and social contracts?

Answer 9

Individuals can remain free by transfering their freedom to the community

Conventions and laws are necessary to protect rights

• Direct democracy and popular sorreignty

on general will and the benefit of an entire community

• Equality is the sum of the individual amour de sei

Question 10

What is Thomas Hobbes opinion on the social contract?

Answer 10

an unwritten agreement between a state and is citizens
- give up certain freedoms for peace, security , and societal benefits
- elect a third party to enforce the contract
- equality before the law
- economic laissez-faire
individual can resist government when his life is at stake

Question 11

What are some critiques towards Thomas Hobbs?

Answer 11

• Unchecked power may lead to tyranny and oppression
• Marginalised groups face systemic oppression
• Doesn’t explain now a social contract looKs in practice
• Sovereign can be chosen in many ways but will hold absolute power

Question 12

What is an EPISTEMIC INJUSTICE?

Answer 12

certain voices are systematically excluded by the power held
by the academic institutions

Question 13

What is EPISTEMICIDE?

Answer 13

it is,
death of the
knowledge of [a] subordinated culture

Question 14

What is standpoint theory?

Answer 14

standpoint theory focuses on the lived experiences of people,
and how different intersecting traits of our identities shape
the way we experience and understand the world

Question 15

What is negative liberty?

Answer 15

freedom from interference by other people.
there must be areas in our private lives that are free from state
interference

Question 16

What is positive liberty?

Answer 16

human beings are self-directed and autonomous,
their actions are their own. this concept is important for selfdetermination

Question 17

What are Isaiah Berlins 3 arguments about freedom?

Answer 17

1.freedom is compromised by (liability to) interference (by other people), but not by lack of means.

2.to lack money is to suffer not (liability to) interference, but lack of means.

3.poverty (lack of money) does not carry with it lack of freedom.

Question 18

What are Isaiah Berlins 2 arguments about the government?

Answer 18

The primary task of government is to protect freedom.
The relief of poverty is not part of the primary task of the government.

Question 19

What is Gerald Cohens argument of Freedom?

Answer 19

right-wing people celebrate the freedom enjoyed by all in a liberal capitalist society, however, if we
really think about it (and deconstruct the argument), this freedom is just formal.

people might be formally free to do things that the state does not forbid, however if people cannot
afford to do them, they are not really free to do them.

money restricts freedom and we just cannot claim that a capitalist society is by nature free

if a owns (can afford) p and b does not, then a may use p without interference and b will suffer
interference if they attempt to use p.

Question 20

What does Gerald Cohen believe about the lack of Money?

Answer 20

The lack of money leads to a greater exposure to interference and the loss of freedom.

Question 21

What is the republic model in a political theory context?

Answer 21

republican model: focus on active, participatory citizenship. citizens must actively participate in
political life and are part of a strong political community that link them by nature

Question 22

What is the liberal model in a political theory context?

Answer 22

citizenship is more passive and it merely represents a status more than an obligation
to participate. the focus is on the protection of negative freedoms

Question 23

What is Hannah Arendts opinion citizenship?

Answer 23

Hannah Arendt follows the republican model but with some major changes

Question 24

What is Hanna Arendts political sphere?

Answer 24

the political sphere is a place for action and speech, where people can interact and perceive collective
freedom and happiness. to be free is to act and speak in the public realm.

Question 25

What are the three qualities of Hanna Arendts political sphere?

Answer 25

a) artificial quality: public life is man-made, not the realisation of inherent human nature. political equality doesn’t relate to the inherent nature of humans, rather, it’s an attribute of citizenship b) spatial quality: public space in which people can physically meet and talk c) public vs private interests: political activity is an end in itself

Question 26

ARISTOTLE VS. ARENDT in citizenship "ARISTOTLE" What do they say about the public sphere? What do they say about reason and action? What do they say about the purpose of political life What do they say about the importance of politics

Answer 26

1: hierarchical, not everybody can be a citizen 2: reason is the highest virtue of a citizen. 3: rationality positively contributes to the polis 4:teleological: it aims at the achievement of the good life for all citizens men are political animals, the polis is their natural environment, a place where they can realise their potential. citizenship involves participation and rationality

Question 27

ARISTOTLE VS. ARENDT in citizenship "ARENDT" What do they say about the public sphere? What do they say about reason and action? What do they say about the purpose of political life What do they say about the importance of politics

Answer 27

hannah arendt open to all to engage in action and discourse action over reason: the essence of political life is the capacity to act together valuable in itself: individuals can reveal their uniqueness and individuality, but also interact with others essential for human flourishing. freedom and individuality are realised in the public realm through speech and action. it is a space where people can take part in the collective life of the community

Question 28

What is the universalist model of citizenship?

Answer 28

citizenship is a status according to which an identical set of rights are accorded to all members. the aim was to create social cohesion --> policies were focused on securing equal civil, political and social rights criticism: the extension of citizenship rights to previously marginalised groups did not necessarily translate to equality and full integration

Question 29

What is the differentialist model of citizenship?

Answer 29

We need to acknowledge the political relevance of difference: sometimes equal respect might justify differential treatments and the recognition of special minority rights people are incorporated into political life not as individuals, but as being part of a certain group (based on ethnicity or religion, etc.) there is no impartial, universal perspective, rather if we ignore “groupness” , we might risk assimilation criticism: who really has the time and skills to dialogue with such a heterogenous public? how does one develop skills for democratic discussions among difference?

Question 30

What does Locke say about the state of nature?

Answer 30

We are free and equal beings with rights of life,liberty, and property. The world is in common but labour can create value and property

Question 31

What is the Lockean Proviso?

Answer 31

Something becomes mine if i mix my labour with it.

Question 32

According to Locke why do we need a social contract?

Answer 32

Because of private property, people might become selfish, that’s why we need someone who can ensure that the natural laws are respected.