Week 9 - CPE and Realist Political Theory

Question 1

What are the two distinct types of ‘non-ideal’ theory discussed?

Answer 1

Constitutional political economy and political realism

Question 2

Who are the key figures associated with Constitutional Political Economy (CPE)?

Answer 2

James M. Buchanan and Gordon Tullock

Question 3

What is the main concept of Rawls’ ‘Veil of Ignorance’?

Answer 3

Individuals have no information about individual characteristics

Question 4

What is Buchanan and Tullock’s alternative to Rawls’ ‘Veil of Ignorance’?

Answer 4

Veil of Uncertainty

Question 5

What do both Rawls and CPE represent in their perspectives?

Answer 5

Social contract perspectives

Question 6

What is the key question both Rawls and CPE ask?

Answer 6

What would people unanimously agree to under the specified conditions?

Question 7

What does CPE distinguish between in decision-making?

Answer 7

Decision-making rules and particular decisions made under those rules

Question 8

What is the principle of unanimity in CPE?

Answer 8

The starting point for CPE is the principle of unanimity

Question 9

What motivates self-interested contractors to make fair choices in CPE?

Answer 9

Uncertainty

Question 10

How does the ‘Veil of Uncertainty’ differ from Rawls’ view?

Answer 10

Individuals do not know whether they will be in a winning or losing political coalition

Question 11

What are the potential costs of decision-making rules requiring unanimity?

Answer 11

Decision-making costs and inaction

Question 12

What is the optimal decision-making rule according to CPE?

Answer 12

A rule that minimizes the present value of expected costs

Question 13

What kind of public goods are identified in CPE?

Answer 13

• National defence
• Large environmental goods
• Some kinds of transport
• Social security system

Question 14

How does CPE view redistribution?

Answer 14

Allowed in the form of universal benefits

Question 15

What is the normative test of a rule in CPE?

Answer 15

Unanimous agreement

Question 16

How does CPE relate to ideal theory?

Answer 16

It serves as a model for desirable political arrangements

Question 17

What is the implication of continuous consent in CPE?

Answer 17

Change in the ‘contract’ can always find unanimous support

Question 18

What does B&T argue about individuals’ pursuit in CPE?

Answer 18

Individuals will pursue self-interest by any allowable means

Question 19

What is the realist political theory’s view on deep disagreement?

Answer 19

Deep disagreement is a fundamental feature of political life

Question 20

What do realists say about the nature of moral values?

Answer 20

Morality is pluralistic and conflicting

Question 21

Why is talking about ideal justice not helpful according to realists?

Answer 21

Disagreement about justice is a permanent feature of the political world

Question 22

What is the difference between realism and non-ideal theory?

Answer 22

Realism acknowledges the depth of disagreements as a core problem

Question 23

Fill in the blank: CPE focuses on questions of _______.

Answer 23

constitutional choice

Question 24

True or False: CPE claims that real-world constitutions have actually come about through the principle of unanimity.

Answer 24

False

Question 25

What does CPE imply about decision-making rules in collective action?

Answer 25

Different rules make sense for different domains of collective action

Question 26

How do rational individuals decide on decision-making rules in CPE?

Answer 26

They opt for the lowest point on the 'total cost' curve

Question 27

What is the main critique of discussing ideal justice in political theory?

Answer 27

Talking about ideal justice & moral obligation is not helpful if disagreement about such issues is a permanent feature of the political world ## Footnote Politics is not applied ethics.

Question 28

What do both ideal and non-ideal political philosophy ignore?

Answer 28

They ignore the distinctiveness of political life and try to reduce politics to ethics.

Question 29

How does non-ideal theory view consensus in political legitimacy?

Answer 29

Non-ideal theory sees consensus as the norm for political legitimacy.

Question 30

What is the realist perspective on consensus in politics?

Answer 30

Realists believe the focus on consensus misunderstands the nature of the political.

Question 31

What are the circumstances that constitute politics according to realists?

Answer 31

The circumstances of disagreement and conflict are constitutive of politics itself.

Question 32

What risk does traditional normative theory face according to realists?

Answer 32

It risks abandoning politics to the idea that 'might makes right'.

Question 33

What do realists seek to develop in political theory?

Answer 33

A distinctively political normativity that acknowledges the conflictual nature of the political.

Question 34

What is meant by a politics of modus vivendi?

Answer 34

It refers to recognizing the need for conflict resolution & the provision of a moral minimum.

Question 35

What should be the focus of political theory according to realists?

Answer 35

The focus should be on compromises that minimize conflict.

Question 36

What is a key aspect of legitimacy in realist political theory?

Answer 36

A theory of legitimacy that does not require universal consent.

Question 37

Why is unanimity not a viable requirement for political legitimacy according to realists?

Answer 37

Unanimity is a denial of the conditions in which the need for politics arises.

Question 38

What is crucial in determining the viability of realism as a form of political theorizing?

Answer 38

Whether a coherent and plausible account of realist legitimacy can be developed.

Question 39

Can deep disagreement be integrated into political theory without abandoning ideals of justice?

Answer 39

Yes, deep disagreement does not necessitate abandoning ideals of justice altogether.

Question 40

What might a critique of realism argue regarding conflict and politics?

Answer 40

A critique might argue that conflict is not all there is to politics.

Question 41

What does a realist believe about theories of justice that ignore conflict?

Answer 41

They believe such theories are not truly political theories.

Question 42

What does Sleat argue about ideal normative theorists?

Answer 42

They are simply describing a 'world without politics'.

Question 43

What does CPE emphasize in political theory?

Answer 43

Agreement on constitutional principles behind 'veil of uncertainty'.

Question 44

What do self-interested actors seek in CPE?

Answer 44

Collective decision rules that minimize costs.

Question 45

What is the normative criterion at the constitutional level in CPE?

Answer 45

Unanimity.

Question 46

What does realist political theory resist?

Answer 46

The reduction of politics to ethics.

Question 47

What does realist political theory emphasize?

Answer 47

Disagreement and conflict.

Question 48

What is the goal of realist political theory regarding legitimacy?

Answer 48

To articulate a principle of legitimacy not based on consensus.