October 2, Slides 1-4 Flashcards
What are rights in a political context?
Rights are claims individuals can make against the state and other people. These include legal rights, which are descriptive and enforced by law, and natural rights, which are normative and based on moral principles. Rights dictate what individuals can legitimately ask of others and the state.
What is the “state of nature”?
The “state of nature” refers to a hypothetical scenario where no state or regulation exists, providing total freedom and independence. However, it also means no constraints on others’ actions, leading to challenges like biased judgments and the inability to ensure rights are respected.
Why is the “state of nature” problematic?
The “state of nature” is problematic because while individuals have unlimited rights, there is no effective enforcement to ensure these rights are respected. Additionally, people often make biased judgments when their interests are involved, leading to conflicts and insecurity.
How does a social contract address the state of nature?
A social contract transfers the natural rights of individuals to judge and enforce laws to the state. In return, individuals gain security and the enforcement of their rights, avoiding the chaos of the state of nature.
What is citizenship within a social contract?
Citizenship is part of the contract where individuals consent to be governed by the state. This includes abiding by its rules and benefiting from its protections.
What is a state?
A state is “an independent, self-governing country with institutions able to make and enforce rules for people in a defined territory” (Tossutti et al). Max Weber defines it as “an institution with a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence within a territory.”
According to Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan (1660), what is the state of nature like?
Hobbes described the state of nature as “a war of all against all,” where life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” In this condition, there are no laws or authority to prevent conflict and ensure security.
Why do people give up rights in Hobbes’ theory?
People give up their natural rights to escape the state of nature. By creating a social contract, they agree to transfer their rights to a sovereign authority, which provides order and protection in return.
What is the purpose of the sovereign in Hobbes’ theory?
The sovereign’s role is to maintain order and prevent the chaos of the state of nature by enforcing laws and ensuring security, acting as the ultimate authority over the people.
How does John Locke describe the state of nature in his Second Treatise on Government?
Locke views the state of nature as generally peaceful and reasonable. People are capable of coexisting by following natural laws of reason, and they naturally respect each other’s rights without a central authority.
How does Locke’s view of the state of nature differ from Hobbes’?
Unlike Hobbes, who saw the state of nature as a “war of all against all,” Locke viewed it as a relatively peaceful condition where people respect natural laws and rights.
What role does the sovereign play in Locke’s social contract?
The sovereign’s role is to make and enforce laws that protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and property, in exchange for individuals’ consent to be governed.
