Readings

Question 1

Grant Madsen: “How Pragmatists Explain Society”

Answer 1

Explanation of pragmatism. Formation of beliefs and habits through the use of analogy. Romer’s Rule–fish grew legs in order to stay fish.

Question 2

Fox & Pope: Chapter 1 (pgs 1-7)

Answer 2

Sovereignty (who has the final say), the Human Predicament, the Good Society (consistent virtuous outcomes), Political Legitimacy (divine right of kings, covenant communities), nature of freedom (participation in government, exercising of rights, etc.)

Question 3

Why China and India face a Marriage Crisis

Answer 3

Application of pragmatism/Romer’s Rule. What are the unintended consequences of our actions, and how do we deal with them?

Question 4

King James VI: “The Trew Law of Free Monarchies”

Answer 4

Divine right of rule, paternal protection, no grounds to rebel or revolt against the king. Everything belongs to the king.

Question 5

Fox & Pope: Chapter 2

Answer 5

Colonization of the Americas by covenant and corporate communities. Accidental creation of democracy. Puritans set themselves up as the ultimate example of godliness and virtue (city upon a hill), different kinds of freedom (civic and natural)

Question 6

John Winthrop: “A Model of Christian Charity”

Answer 6

Inequality exists to facilitate God’s love to his people. When we all work together, God’s purpose is advanced. Create the City Upon a Hill, purify the Church of England.

Question 7

James Harrington: “The Commonwealth of Oceana”

Answer 7

Institutional design. People are inherently short-sighted and selfish, and all forms of government will devolve into its evil twin, so we set up a government that can achieve virtue regardless of who or what is in charge. Girls and the cake. Perfect blending and balance of the one/few/many. Example of republicanism.

Question 8

John Locke: “Second Treatise of Government”

Answer 8

School of thought from the Bloodless/Glorious Revolution in England. State of nature. Natural Rights (life, liberty, property), Natural Laws (don’t kill, steal, or harm yourself or others). Every man is ruler in his own sphere. Only when a group decides they want a better deal and enters a contract to create a society is a government created. Tacit consent”Body for Work” Example of liberalism

Question 9

Albert Hirshman: “The Passions and the Interests”

Answer 9

Historical transition from avarice to interest. Instead of suppressing all forms of vice (passions like lust, ambition, and avarice) to make way for virtues, we harness our desire for more stuff and play nicely with each other. Age of the entrepreneur. Treating passions like a Madisonian faction, applying institutional design to a psychological situation.

Question 10

Robin Blackburn: “The Making of New World Slavery

Answer 10

Economic exploitation. Early American colonists needed a way to efficiently maintain their plantations. Couldn’t use themselves (below their station), natives (couldn’t communicate and ran away too easily), indentured servants (short term, blend in with other land owners, could demand fair treatment) or inmates/orphans (too dangerous and unreliable). Chose Africans (cheap, didn’t know land, couldn’t blend in, long term investment). Created color-based racism as a means of justification after the fact.

Question 11

Declaration of Independence

Answer 11

Locke 2.0. Long train of abuses. Unfair taxation, removal of colonial legislative bodies, insane trade restrictions, etc. Because they have no legistlative bodies, colonists have been returned to state of nature, and are going to create their own government (USA). Written by Jefferson. Very liberal document

Question 12

Fox & Pop: pages 34-42

Answer 12

Rule of Law. Does a law protect freedom?
Generality - laws have to apply to everyone, not just a specific group of people
Prospectivity - laws cannot act retrospectively. Can only apply from that point forward.
Publicity - laws have to be available to the public, and you have to know there will be a punishment if broken.
Consent - laws have to be generally acceptable to those who have to live by them. Voting
Due Process - everyone is equal under the law. Protection and prosecution must be equal for everyone.

Question 13

Fox and Pope: pages 30-34

Answer 13

John Locke. Series of bloody revolutions/civil wars in England that eventually culminated in the Glorious Revolution–won with politics, not infighting. Writing of the Second Treatise. Saw US as example of the state of nature. Death of the divine right of kings .

Question 14

Fox and Pope: Chapter 5

Answer 14

Story of the American Revolution

Question 15

Fox & Pope: Chapter 6

Answer 15

Constitutional Convention

Question 16

Adam Smith “Wealth of Nations”

Answer 16

market economy. invisible hand. division of labor. supply and demand. I make what you need, you make what I need, we swap and play nicely. The only people with enough time for government tasks are the ones most disinclined to care about the wellbeing of others, so they shouldn’t be allowed to regulate the economy. Just let it play out nicely. Example of economic liberalism.

Question 17

Fox & Pope: Chapter 4

Answer 17

Adam Smith cliff notes. Colonists were motivated by economic self-interest and used British models to create their own balance economy. Wanted to stamp out mercantilism

Question 18

Jack Rakove: Original Meanings

Answer 18

Madison’s constitution. Story of the Constitutional Convention. Wanted a bicameral legislature, representation by population, and national veto of state laws. Got most of it, not the veto. Constitutional Madison, example of republicanism.

Question 19

Federalist No 10

Answer 19

Controlling of factions. Extended government allows for all the different factions to never get large enough for one to get out of hand. Let them balance each other out. This means wide-spread federal government.

Question 20

Federalist No 51

Answer 20

Checks and balances between state and national governments.

Question 21

Fox & Pope: Chapter 7

Answer 21

Ratification of Constitution and Bill of Rights, judicial review.

Question 22

The Constitution

Answer 22

Example of republicanism (institutional design) and liberalism (utilizes a vote). Enumerates powers of federal government and details organiszation. 
L(egislative)
E(xecutive)
J(udicial)
S(tates, power of)
A(mendments, process of)
S(upremacy, feds are in charge)
R(atification, process of)

Question 23

The Bill of Rights

Answer 23

Redundancy clause. States specifically what the rights o the people and states are. MAdison thought it was unnesary, because all non-specified powers belonged to states anyway, feds couldn’t do anything without being expressly told. Did it to convince the states to ratify the constitution.
1- freedom of expression (speech, press, assembly, religion, petition)
2 - right to bear arms/form a militia
3 - no quartering troops
4 - warrant, probable cause
5 - due process, double jeopardy
6 - right to an attorney
7 - trial by jury
8 - no excessive bail, no cruel and unusual punishment
9 - not all rights listed
10 - anything not listed given back

Question 24

Dallin H. Oaks: “The Divinely Inspired Constitution”

Answer 24

3/5ths clause used as a delaying tactic. Not inspired of God.

Question 25

John Adams: "Defense of the Constitutions of Covernment of the United Staes of America"

Answer 25

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Question 26

John Adams: Letter to James Sullivan

Answer 26

Voting rights. Only individuals capable of independent political thought (white male landowners that answered to themselves and not to a boss) should be allowed to vote, otherwise, people would vote for whoever they were told to.

Question 27

John Adams: Letter to John Taylor

Answer 27

Natural aristocracy. Some people ar naturally more intellignet or more capable (or both), and so we should put them in charge. We need to have some kind of check in place, though, because without it it will just turn into Survival of the Fittest. So we have teh public vote every so often, and we have a lower hous that can make more grounded decisions. The one/few/many. Example of republicanism.

Question 28

SCOTUS: Marbury v. Madison

Answer 28

Supreme Court case establishing judicial review. During switch from Adams to Jefferson, a bunch of judges were about to be appointed from Adams' political party. Madison, Jefferson's SoS, decided not to deliver the appointment letters because it would give the opposing party too much power. Marbury, expecting a letter, sued Madison for withholding the letters, but the Supreme Court said that the law allowing them to appeal straight to the Supreme Court was unconstitutional and they should go to a lower court.

Question 29

Joyce Appleby: "Capitalism and a New Social Order"

Answer 29

Adams v Jefferson, England v France. Each become what the other most feared. Jefferson catered to mob rule (endorsed French Revolution), and Adams tried to silence the voice of the people (Alien and Sedition Acts). Republicanism v liberalism

Question 30

Thomas Jefferson: "Letter to William Short"

Answer 30

Endorsement of the French Revolution. What should it matter if things get a little crazy. The tree of liberty needs to be watered with the blood of martyrs.

Question 31

Joesph Schumpeter: "Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy"

Answer 31

Creative destruction. Economic and philosophical change. Industrial revolution irreversibly changes the economy and the way of life, Political creative destruction allows government policies to change and grow. Romer's rule--change to stay the same.

Question 32

Letter to James Madison/Letter to Thomas Jefferson

Answer 32

Should we rewrite the constitution every generation (19 years)? Should debts die with their debtors? Is tacit consent a thing? (J: y/y/n, M: n/n/y)

Question 33

Fox & Pope: Chapter 8

Answer 33

Election of 1800 (Adams v Jefferson), the arrival of the two-party system. Jefferson ran on a platform of Lockean liberty and agrarian (farmer) ideals, and "won" the 19th century. A lot of unresolved constitutional issue resurfaced during this election.

Question 34

Grant Madsen: "Two Kinds of Liberty"

Answer 34

Cliff notes of Isaiah Berlin's "two concepts of liberty" speech. Positive and negative liberty. Negative: don't step on my rights, I won't step on yours. Free to do what you want as long as no one is harmed. Positive: white handbook. a series of rules designed to steer/coerce you in the direction of Best Possible Human.

Question 35

SCOTUS: Dred Scott v Sandford

Answer 35

Attempt by federal government to permanently end the question of slavery by closing all the loopholes. Super, super racist. Once a slave, always a slave. No such thing as racial rights, slaves are not citizens. States can do whatever they want regarding slavery.

Question 36

Republican Party Platform of 1860

Answer 36

Abolition of slavery Increase/improvement of infrastructure (interstate roads, etc) Homesteading (Lockean ideal of mixing land with labor)

Question 37

Abraham Lincoln: "First Inaugural"

Answer 37

Contradicts South Carolina's claim to secession. Southern rights have not ben abused, so you can't break the contract by walking away. You are undermining democracy and violating the social contract. Transition from status (you are what you were born as) to contract (you are what you agre to be)

Question 38

Fox & Pope: Chapter 9

Answer 38

Age of "Deep Change" (creative destruction), population growth , health discoveries, immigration, westward expansion, economic growth, increase in crime rates, democratic involvement, political movements, etc.

Question 39

Abraham Lincoln: "Gettysburg Address"

Answer 39

Repeat of First Inaugural

Question 40

Fox & Pope Chapter 11

Answer 40

Resolution of leftover constitutional questions. What exactly did we agree to, and how do slaves fit in here? Civil War answered: Federal Government is the ultimate power. Slaves are freed people, not property, and are considered equal under the law.

Question 41

William Blackstone: "From Commentaries on the Laws of England"

Answer 41

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Question 42

Frederick Douglass: "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"

Answer 42

White hypocrisy. Slavery has robbed black people of their humanity and of all their natural rights. If the Revolutionary War was about freedom, why are you still practicing slavery?

Question 43

SCOTUS: Lochner v. New York

Answer 43

Any law trying to limit how many hours a man can work is unconstitutional because it takes away his right to use his body (his property) for whatever he wants. In terms of Lochner (a baker), there was no difference in product made, so no harm done to anyone else, and so no grounds for government regulation.

Question 44

The Concise Encyclopedia of Sociology: "Divisions of Household Labor"

Answer 44

Balance of work/home around industrial revolution. Pre-IR, everyone worked in or around the house, men harvesting raw materials and women refining them. Post-IR, men and single women wnt to factory or white-collar jobs, and married women were responsible for the moral instruction or refinement of the home.

Question 45

Amendments 13-15 of the Constitution

Answer 45

The Civil War Amendments: "Free Citizens Vote" 13 - Abolition of Slavery 14 - All are citizens, and will be protected by due process 15 - All male citizens can vote

Question 46

Fox & Pope: Chapter 12 (pg 208-223)

Answer 46

Political corruption at the turn of the century. Robber barons, Upper 10, working class individuals. Rise of the Progressive movement as a way to use public power to check private power. Advent of the Great Depression.

Question 47

Michael McGerr: "A Fierce Discontent"

Answer 47

Rise of Progressivism and 1st wave feminism. Evils of individualism. Transition to hardcore positive liberty (Best Possible Human=middle class white female). Pre-progressive middle class known as "Victorians"

Question 48

Woodrow Wilson: "Fourteen Points Speech"

Answer 48

Progressivist ideals applied to foreign policy. Wilsonianism: Applying positive liberty now in order create space for negative liberty later. 3 components: self-determination (democracy), free trade (end of colonialism), and League of Nations. Didn't work too well because US was not yet powerful enough to call the shots. And none of the Europeans would give any ground.

Question 49

"The Atlantic Charter"

Answer 49

Fourteen Points, version 2.0. Charter laid out after WWII when American had a lot more power and could convince everyone to play along. It ensured that relief efforts were actually followed through with and that most nations of the world agreed to play nicely with each other (for the most part).

Question 50

Fox & Pope: Chapter 13

Answer 50

Wars of the 20th Century (WWI, WWII, Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, War on Terror, etc) and foreign policy (we are playground police, making sure everyone plays nicely. Still very positive liberty)

Question 51

Fox & Pope: Chapter 12 (pg 223-235)

Answer 51

Damage caused by the Great Depression, FDR's New Deal. R(elief) - unemployment rates R(eform) - government reforms R(ecovery) - failed. WWII bailed them out

Question 52

Congressional Digest: "Full Employment Proposals"

Answer 52

Government involvement in employment plans

Question 53

SCOTUS: Brown v Board of Education

Answer 53

Beginning of identity politics. overruling of the "Plessy v Ferguson" decision that established "separate but equal" by showing that separate environment harmed the self-esteem and identity of African American children. Used the 14th amendment (equal protection under the law)

Question 54

Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

Answer 54

Letter to religious leaders urging/chastising them for not speaking/acting out against the unjust laws. Urges for nonviolent direct action (civil disobedience). Collect the facts, negotiate with opponent, self-purification, direct action (not just talking), out in the open where everyone can see. Followup to the Declaration of Independence. Moral obligation to rebel against long train of abuses. Example of racial liberalism.

Question 55

Walter Susman: "Culture and Commitment"

Answer 55

Consumer culture. We are no longer defined by producing something, but by what we consume. The "American right to choose"--what color of toaster are we going to buy? What model of car? What music do we listen to? What does that say about our identity?

Question 56

SDS: "Port Huron Statement"

Answer 56

Manifesto of the student movement. Young adults not content with the life that their parents said they were supposed to enjoy. Saw lots of problems with racism and the Cold War. Wanted to be their authentic self--if you can act it out, it's real! Bypassed the government and went straight to the people.

Question 57

"Redstockings Manifesto"

Answer 57

Manifesto of second-wave feminism. Women are oppressed by ALL men, and are victimized by male privilege. Wanted to band together as women and be protected by the law--the personal is political.

Question 58

SCOTUS: "Roe v. Wade"

Answer 58

Court case analyzing anti-abortion laws. Laws declared unconstitutional on the grounds that a woman has the right to enter into an agreement with a health-care professional (create a contract) and the government has no right to interfere. Actually, the government has to protect the right to make contracts. A woman has the right to do what she wants with her body--"A Body for Pleasure"

Question 59

Pew Center - "Millenials in Adulthood

Answer 59

What does our generation have to say about freedom?