PS 230 EXAM 2 REAL Flashcards
Why Athenians?
Used as a proxy argument for realists
What do the Athenians tell us about justice?
- ) use of no fine phrases
- ) try to get what you want
- ) the standard of justice depends on the power to compel. Strong do what they want and weak have to accept it.
Why not be neutral according to the Athenians?
Because it is a sign of weakness
What is the knowledge of men leads us according to realists?
To conclude that it is general and necessary law of nature to rule whatever we can.
Follows one’s interest
What do Athenians say about powerful actors?
1.) There is no difference between right and wrong
2,) those who have independence is because strong
3.) conquering increase security of empire
What is Nicole Michaevelli, The Prince Chapter XV quote about in, “Concerning things for Which Men, and Especially Princes, are praised or Blamed”?
- ) it appears to me more appropriate to follow up the real truth(no fine phrases) than the imagination of it.
- ) many have pictured republics (Plato) which have never been known or seen
- ) because of how one lives in so far distant from how one ought to live
- ) he who negates what is done(reality) for what ought to be(idealized world) done, sooner effects his ruin then his preservation.
- ) a man who wishes to act entirely up to his profession of virtue soon meets with what destroys him among so much that is evil( Hans Morgentl)
How does Thomas Hobbes define power in the Leviathan Chapter in the most broadest sense?
Present means to obtain some future apparent good.
Two types of power according to Hobbes? And definition
Power is either original(natural) or instrumental.
Natural power can be defined as: faculties of body or mind. Such as strength, good looks, prudence, practical skill, eloquence, generosity, and nobility
Instrumental power can be acquired though natural powers or luck. For example riches, friends, reputation etc…
According to Thomas Hobbes what does equality of ability rise?
Equality of ability = equality of hope + scarcity = enemies.
What is Hobbes starting point?
- )On average we have the same intelligence and physical abilities
- ) out of this emerges equality of hope in getting what we want. But if two individuals want the same thing then we are enemies. Best way to deal with enemies is anticipation strike first.
According to Hobbes what are the 3 principles that causes quarrel in the nature of man?
- ) Competition: use of force to make master
- ) Diffidence: use of force to defend what is yours
- ) Glory: smallest things insignificant
According to Hobbes what condition do humans find themselves if there is no common superior(government)?
If they don’t have a common superior to keep them in awe(check) they are in that condition which is called war. Every man against man.
What does Hobbes make of morality, justice, wrong, good or bad?
That nothing can be unjust. The notions of right and wrong. Justice and injustice there is no place. When there is no common power there is now law. No law, no justice.
What are the 3 essential tenents implicit in Machiavelli’s doctrine of foundation-stones of the realists? According to E.H. Carr
- ) history is a sequence [pattern] of cause and effect, Carr refers to this sequence as “the determinist aspect of the historical process” meaning history is a sequence observable regularaties. Can be analyzed by intellectual effort, but cannot direct it. Imagination= liberals. Realists argue the course=sequence of pattern.
- ) theory does not ( as utopians assume) create practice, but practice creates theory
- ) politics are not (as utopians pretend) a function of ethics, of politics.
Liberals politics is a function of ethics.
Realists inverse function, ethics is a function of politics.
What has been the outstanding achievement of modern realism according to E.H. Carr?
The relative and pragmatic character of thought itself.
Outstanding achievement means that in the view of Carr, most important argument realists make is to reveal, not only the determinist aspect of the historical process. BUT
The relative and pragmatic character of thought(intellectual processes) itself.
What are Hans Morgenthau’s six principles of realism?
- ) believes that politics like society is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature
- ) main signpost helps political realism find its way through the landscape of international politics is the concept of interest defined in terms of power
- ) power is an objective concept that is universally valid
- ) political realism is aware of the moral significance of political action. Tension between moral command and requirements political action
- ) refuses to identify the moral aspirations of a particular nation with moral laws that govern the universe
- ) difference between political realism and other schools of thought is real. However much of the theory may be misunderstood and misinterpreted