Midterm Exam Flashcards
Athenian Democracy:
What are the key principles of Athenian Democracy
- Inisomnia: Equality Before law.
- Isegoria: Equal Speech.
- Parrhesia: Frank Speech (speaking openly and honestly regardless of risks).
Athenian Democracy:
Who criticized Athenian Democracy and why?
- The Old Oligarch criticized it for letting unqualified people rule.
Plato:
What was Plato’s main critique of Democracy?
- Democracy is chaotic and ruled by emotions, leading to bad decision-making.
Plato:
What is the Ship of State Anology?
- Democracy is like a ship where clueless sailors fight to steer. Only a trained navigator should rule, Philospopher-King.
Plato:
What is the “Noble Lie”?
- A myth to mantain social order by making people accept their roles in society.
Aristotle:
How did Aristotle view Democracy?
- Democracry has value but works best when balanced with oligarchy in a “mixed constitution”.
Aristotle:
What does Aristotle mean by “Humans are political animals”?
- Humans naturally form governments and engage in political life.
Machiavelli:
How did Machiavelli view politics?
- Politics should focus on power and pragmatism, not morality.
Machiavelli:
What was Machiavelli’s view on class struggle?
- Class conflict (popolo vs. grandi) was essential for maintaining liberty.
Hobbes:
What is Hobbes’ “State of Nature”?
- 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).
Hobbes:
Why does Hobbes advocate for an absolute sovereign?
- To prevent chaos and ensure peace, people must give up their rights to an all-powerful ruler.
Locke:
How does Locke’s State of Nature differ from Hobbes’?
- It is not as chaotic; people have reason and natural rights (life, liberty, property).
Locke:
What is Locke’s theory of property?
- People own land when they mix their labor with it.
Locke:
What does Locke say about government overreach?
- If the government violates rights, the people have a right to rebel.
Athenian Democracy:
How did Aristote define democracy vs. oligarchy?
- Democracy: Ruled by the poor.
- Oligarchy: Ruled by the rich.
Plato:
What is Platos theory of justice in The Republic?
- Justice is when everyone performs the role they are best suited for. Rulers rule, Soliders defend, Workers produde.
Plato:
Why does Plato belive Democracy leads to tyranny?
- Democracy gives too much freedom, leading to chaos and the rise of a tyrant.
Aristotle:
What is Aristotles idea of “the best practical government”?
- A mix of democracy and oligarchy to balance and stability and fairness.
Aristotle:
How does Aristotles idea of virtue realte to politics?
- Poliitics should cultivate virtue in citizens, leading to a flourishing society.
Machiavelli:
What is Machiavellis concept of “Virtu”?
- The ability of a leader to be strong, strategic, and decisive in maintaining power.
Machiavelli:
Why does Machiavelli admire the Roman Republic?
- Romes success came from it’s balance of class conflict and instituoinal stability.
Hobbes:
Why does Hobbes belive a Leviathan is necessary?
- Without a strong ruler, people would constatnly be at war in a state of nature.
Hobbes:
How does Hobbes define liberty?
- 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.
Locke:
How does Locke justify the right to rebellion?
- If a government voilates natural rights, people have the right to overthrow.
Locke:
What is Lockes view on consent in government?
- Government is only legitimate if the people give their consent, either explicity or tacitly.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is a key giveaway a quote is about Aristotle?
- If the quote is about balancing democracy & oligarchy, participation, or human nature.
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.
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.
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).
What is a giveaway a quote is about Hobbes?
- If the quote is about chaos without government, absolute power, or humans being selfish & fearful.
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).
What is a giveaway a quote is about Locke?
- If the quote is about rights, limited government, property, or rebelling against tyranny.
