Justice And Power Flashcards
What do social sciences study
Concepts not things, leads to constant debate
What is implicit politics
The political messages that underly media, the assumptions
What is political socialization
How do we learn and internalize political beliefs and values
What are media politics
Who decides what fees published? With what values?
Summarize Aristotle’s views on politics
Politics is to master science for the good of man, legislates what we can or cannot do, needs to be concerned with everything.
Humans are naturally political, the good life vs mere life (polis)
Politics originates to continue life, when we want to improve it we create the state
Politics and people have the same natural beginning and are dependant on each other
How does Aristotle define politics?
Politics originates to continue life, the state forms to create the good life
Why are we distinctly political according to Aristotle?
Because we can scrutinize and discuss
What is the good life? What is mere life?
mere life is survival
The good life is moving beyond survival into joy
What is Robert Dahls view?
That economic power is important (wanted to democratize corporate/economic power). Workers are under the rile of those who own corporations so they should have unions. NOT that economic power was the SOLE power (Marxist)
How does robert Dahl define politics and political systems?
Politics: Social relationships that involve power, rule, and authority.
Political systems: persistent pattern of human relationships that involve control, influence, power and authority.
What is Robert Dahls opinion on authority?
Authority can be limited by power structures around them, sometimes people in power are able to effectively maintain their power.
What is the Second Wave of feminism?
“The person is political” sexuality, housework, reproduction. There is more at play than just individual choices (systematic/political choices).
Power laden social relationships change people choices - constrain or enable people in certain ways
How did Kate millet (second wave feminism) define politics?
An arrangement whereby one group of people is controlled by another
Is there a value neutral way to describe a democracy? Why?
No, because it always requires us to divulge our values
What is the Socratic method?
Not just pointing out answers, but guiding others to an understanding of ideas through dialogue - interplay of questions and answers (finding the kerb all of truth in a statement)
What is Plato’s view on justice
That it is objective, [ideal form of a chair, everything else has an aspect of a chair but still isn’t a chair] we can “find” justice and truth
Justice is to give to each what is proper to him, give everyone his due
Treating enemies badly makes them and society worse
Just man would not want to do harm to anybody, good to friends but not bad to enemies
Justice has a clear meaning, giving each person their due (fair), leaving open debate about implementation
What is Confucius’s view on justice?
There is a relationship between virtue and ruling - justice will be brought by good and virtuous government
Moral excellence inspires more moral excellence
Moral excellence is tied to tradition, respect and wisdom
What is Machiavelli’s view on justice?
There is a distinct morality for princely rule:
1. maintaining the state - does not want power for its own sake but for sake of city, glory of city
2. Political virtu vs personal virtue - political virtu is maintaining power to do good things (not moral excellence, being ABLE to govern effectively)
3. Means and ends - politics requires morally questionable things to bring about goos ends, people judge the outcome and not the steps it took to get there
There is a limit: cruelty well used vs cruelty abused
How are plato, Machiavelli, and Confucius different? How are they the same?
Plato and Confucius think there is god given objective morality, leaders should be good people
What is Gaventas primary question?
Why are certain oppressed groups quiescent, are there particular power aspects that lead to change, those who have concerns should be able to speak up but they dont and what does that mean for us
What is quiescence?
Being quiet and just going along
What are the 3 dimensions of power according to gaventa?
1st, 2nd, 3rd
What is the first dimension of power according to gaventa?
A more powerful and b less powerful
A exersizes power over B when they get B to act in a way that benefits A against B’s interests
who participates, who gains/loses, who prevails in various decision making arenas
What is the second dimension of power according to gaventa?
Focuses on non participation, why do people go along?
When those in power are there for a long time, they operate society in a way to benefit certain people and maintain the system that keeps them in power, (mobilization of bias)
What is the mobilization of bias?
Various beliefs/values that benefit some at the expense of others - it self perpetuates to keep it going this way
What is the 3rd dimension of power according to gaventa?
Shapes the conceptions of the powerless about the nature and extent of the inequality.
Internalizing belief system “thats just the way it is”
Are the dimensions of power accumulative? Is a reversal of power possible?
It’s accumulative of 1 and 2, 3 can only happen when a controls all institutions and mass media and society has entrenched the beliefs of A so much that B begins to believe it.
There is a possible reversal of power dynamics but changing perspective and conciousness
What is michel Foucault’s question? How is it other than Gaventas?
How various groups came to be. Gaventa focuses on relationships between various groups, Foucault wants to know why and when the groups formed.
What is michel Foucaults 4th dimension of power? What is truth? Examples?
Our understanding of truth is fundamentally shaped by the society and power dynamics we are surrounded by. Ideas become widespread then institutionalized and then understood as true. Groups become categorized/categories of people are created according to this same idea of power and truth - according to focuault differs by questioning origin of groups.
Scientific knowledge reflects social attitudes
Race theory in the 19th century
What are the 5 political economies of truth (according to Foucault)
- Truth is centred on the form of scientific discourse and institution
- Is subject to constant economic and political incitement
- Object under diverse forms of immense diffusion and consumption
- Produced and transmitted under control of a few great political and economic apparatuses (university media, military)
- Battle for truth - struggle over what is true and false and the specific effects of power
What is epistemology?
How we know what we know
What does ulrich beck mean when he says the world economy is a kind of meta-power?
That states are supposed to recuglate economies in line with the will of the people but now corporations control countries in a organized irresponsibility and threat of pulling investments
What is deterritorialization of power?
Companies are so large that they span multiple countries and are thus not beholden to any one, they can play nations against each other and have no particular loyalty. Investments are mobile and power is legal but illigetimate (not consent of people)
What is ulrich Becks changing boundary between politics and economics
That states no longer have a monopoly on law making, other non-state actors are taking charge like NGOs WTO etc, there are now questions of legitimacy as there is little to no public debate (generates changes behind the backs of people)
What is ulrich Becks paradox of the neoliberal model? What makes a strong state?
States have a lot of responsibilities but under increasing pressure to be minimal, lower taxes, thus have trouble fulfilling those roles. Privatization doesn’t necessarily mean weak gov, tendency to be strong in terms of military and surveillance.
How does the neoliberal paradox weaken democratic politics?
Corporations use their mobility to weaken states by playing them against each other in a race to the bottom
What is methodological nationalism and how does that strengthen big companies?
All issues can be addressed by national politics and international politics is a waste of time.
Leaves us unable to understand or effectively solve problems in an increasingly interconnected world
What is the nationality trap?
It limits the nationalistic focus of a nation state and limits autonomy due to interocnnectedness
Autonomy vs sovereignty according to ulrich beck
Autonomy = independence
Sovereignty = ability to solve problems
Autonomy is limited as globalization occurs and sovereignty is possible but more and more in collaborations with others. Sharing sovereignty increases it.
Summarize ulrich beck
-globalization is unstoppable
Corporations gain so much power they can manipulate actions of any gov by withholding funding
We’re dependant on corporations
National problems dont define our politics - think globally
Why do transnational corporations hold so much power?
Because they are so mobile they cant move capital easily out of a country that displeases them. Since they are so large this has huge impacts on local economies making them dependant on large corporations. Thus there is an erosion of governments ability to get things done and democratic values as they appeal to un democratic corporations
What is an ideology?
A system of ideas and ideals that inform political theory and action and policy and agendas. They include underlying theories on how the world works.
According to john Locke what is the state of nature? Natural laws?
A world without civil authority or government. It is not without morality and is governed by the laws of nature, perfect freedom and equality. (Reciprocal power where no one is having more than another)
The laws of nature are knowable through reason
How does John lockes state of war come about?
There is no way to enforce laws of nature, there is often abuses of force (force without right) this can occur in both state of nature and civil societies and between individuals or gov
Why do people join civil society?
To protect their natural rights, and avoid state of war - thus they enter on social contract where everyone agrees to exit state of nature
What is a state of war?
Force without right
What is a social contract?
Where everyone agrees to exit the state of nature and create civil law and authority to protect natural rights - this is based on the consent of the governed
What are the two notions of property according to Locke
Broader: life, health, liberty or possessions, every man has property in his own person
Narrower: Land, possessions, wealth
What is the labour theory of property?
Labour creates value
What are lockes three limiting principles of wealth (pre money)?
Cant allow things to spoil (spoilage provision)
Still enough and as good left
It must be your own labour that did it (or labour of a servant)
What is natural freedom according to locke
Natural freedom: order actions/possessions as they see fit within the bounds of laws of nature
Why does labour of your servant count towards your possessions
Because the servant (is probably paid) and you have an agreement with them to exchange something for their labour - in essence you have bought their labour
When money is introduced how do lockes three limiting principles change? Why and how?
Spoilage becomes irrelevant ( money doesn’t spoil)
Still enough and as good enough becomes irrelevant (someone else having a lot of money does not prevent you from also getting a lot of money)
Must be your own labour is transformed (ability to pay wages for labour)
What is lockes right to revolution?
When governments violate your natural rights you have the ability/justification to overthrow the government
What rights are given particular importance in lockes ideas? Why?
Property rights, they are natural and prepolitical and must be protected
According to Locke is there anything wring with inequality?
No some people are just able to accumulate more wealth and property and nothing is wrong with that
How to john Stuart mill and John Locke differ in terms of rights?
Locke believes in natural god-given inherent rights
Mill believes in utilitarianism - political
What is utilitarianism according to to Bentham? To Mill? How is it achieved according to Mill? Why?
Utility is the greatest pleasure for the greatest people
Utility is the greatest happiness for the greatest people
Utility is more than an individual/temporary it’s grounded in the permanent interests of man, greater happiness is achieved through greater freedom (so everyone can pursue their own happiness their own way)
Humans are more than just simple pleasure/pain (thats for animals) humans are more complex
According to mill does democratic governance solve freedom and rights?
No
What are the two dangers associated with democracy according to mill?
Political tyranny
Social tyranny
What is mills social tyranny
Extra-legal subtle manipulation y dominant social opinion
In mills opinion why is the only reason you can exercise power over members of society?
To prevent harm to others (for their own good is not enough)
What are mills 3 human conducts? Define them
Morality - should be legislated
prudence - how much personal risk are you comfortable with
aesthetics - how u dress etc
What are mills 2 kinds of moral obligations? Define them
Obligation of benevolence - Good Samaritan - not just liking/disliking
Obligation of justice - human interests so important they must be considered rights
Summarize mills 4 implications
- Harm to others is only conduct that violates moral obligations
2.individuals should be free to fo anything that does not violate distinct and objectionable obligations to another person - Conduct that only violates obligations of benevolence can be rightfully punished by moral coercion but not law
- Conduct that violates obligations of justice can be rightfully punished by law/legal penalities
Summarize Thomas hill greens 2 points
- Positive conception of freedom of contract
Laws that prevent things can yield greater social freedom for society overall ex. Laws against child labour
Freedom to do things worth doing
Not about quantity of choices, but about importance of choices
Everyone should be free to choose what they do with their life - Freedom of each is linked to freedom of all
What social conditions are needed for everyone to experience meaningful freedom
Milton Friedmans 4 points
- Fundamental emphasis on freedom of individual makes him a liberal
- Negative conception of freedom - absence of barriers
- Capitalism and democracy are good bc it prevents concentration of power in gov hands
- People are imperfect - skeptical of gov being able to solve society’s needs, reliance on free market for things like healthcare instead
“Taxes by their very nature reduce citizen freedom”
Green vs Friedman
Green disagree bc gov should be able to do things and society has deemed taxes necessary
Friendman things gov is inefficient
What was Edmund burkes notion of liberty and order?
Ordered rational freedom over absolute/unrestrained freedom
Society sometimes needs to thwart the desires of individuals
(Some examples are collection and usage of revenue, morality, religion, solidify of property, peace, order, and civil manners)
What was Edmund burkes notion of continuity and change?
He’s not reactionary— not all change is bad
States should change with time (cant remain alive being stagnant)
Opposed to radical change that dissolves inherited institutions and traditions
What was Edmund burkes notion of rights (historical not natural)
More of a mill view, that rights are grounded in historical tradition and can be reformed
All men have equal rights but not to equal things
Argument for minimal equality in basic civil rights
What was Edmund burkes notion of prudence?
We need caution and humility when pursuing new things, use inherited human experience
What was Edmund burkes notion of tradition?
Abstract reason is not a guide
Prejudices are not always bad, may just be wisdom from historical experience
What was Edmund burkes notion of the societal contract
Society is formed out of a contract (but not one we voluntarily enter into) its more a bond between those who have come before, those now, and those who have yet to come (continuing idea of inheritance)
What are Michael oakshotts 3 main points?
Conservative as aversion to change (enjoy what is familiar)
Favours more gradual change
Governing is a specific and limiting activity— should not impose one way on all and be wary of generalizations like public good or social justice
What were Marx’s 3 philosophical influences?
Hegel - history as progress of reason (ideas change as a result of material changes)
Feurbach - radical humanism
Kant - human being are ends in themselves (capitalism treats too many people as means to a profit)
How Marx describe Alienated labour
- Estrangement of worker from product of their labour
- Alienation of worker from act of production
- Loss repression of species being
- Estrangement of man from man
Marxist history?
Relations of production are largely shaped by modes and forces of production and divisions of labour reshaped by new forces of production and class struggles
Forces of production create systems create ideas/laws
Summarize the manifesto
History is a history of class struggle (where class divisions exist there is class struggle)
Focuses on class struggles in capitalist societies simplifies to bourgeoisie and proletariat
The state creates advances for the bourgeoisie even in democratic societies]
Capitalism is a global system (star reach not conservative force)
What is the main source of power in democratic socialism? How is it related to democracy?
Economy, they want to make power limited and accountable
Saw socialism as an extension of liberalism
How do democratic socialists reconcile Marx and socialism?
Because Marx wrote before full democratic societies he purposely left room for interpretation for “different ways under different circumstances”
This means room for socialism
Eduard Bernstein‘s 2 Main Points were
He generally supported
- Democratic path towards socialism
- Socialism as a fuller realization and deepening of true democracy compared to bourgeoise democracy/democratic capitalism
Approaches like selective nationalization of industry and generous welfare state and workplace democracy
