WEEK 2 - 2 What Is Modern Politics?

Question 1

“I think therefore I am”

Answer 1

• Descartes undoubtable statement
• introduces “I” as central to modern thinking
• couldn’t doubt his own existence

Question 2

tenets of modernity

Answer 2

• individuals paramount
• belief in science
• development of market
• idea of progress

Question 3

2 differences from pre modern to modern

Answer 3

• science rather than art of governing

- state and citizens rather than monarchs and subjects

Question 4

modern political scientific approach

Answer 4

• discover laws that govern politics
• begin from individual parts
• science means progress

Question 5

3 early scientific approachers

Answer 5

Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
Karl Marx

Question 6

Thomas Hobbes

Answer 6

English philosopher

“Leviathan” 1651

Question 7

Hobbes application of galileo’s scientific method

Answer 7

to search into rights of states and duties of subject, it is necessary to apply Galileo to politics

Question 8

Leviathan

Answer 8

early example of social contract theory

- surrendering some freedoms in exchange for protection of remaining

Question 9

law of nature: self preservation

Answer 9

• where there is no common power there is no law and no justice
• all living things will prioritize their own well being

Question 10

Hobbes absolute monarchy

Answer 10

believed human nature can only be held back by an absolute monarch with supreme rule

Question 11

John Locke

Answer 11

English philosopher

“Two Treatises of Government” 1689

Question 12

“Two Treatises of Government”

Answer 12

• used empirical scientific method to examine data in the world
• refuted absolute right of kings
• founding of liberal/democratic state

Question 13

Locke law of nature/natural rights

Answer 13

• all persons have natural rights to life liberty and property
• state must protect rights of individuals

Question 14

Karl Marx

Answer 14

• 19th century German philosopher

- communist manifesto 1848

Question 15

Marx scientific socialism

Answer 15

using scientific method and historic trends to derive probable social, economic, and material phenomena

Question 16

Marx capitalism belief

Answer 16

capitalism will collapse and be replaced by communism

Question 17

contemporary scientific approaches (post first 3)

Answer 17

• founding of American Political Science Association
• behavioural revolution (use of empirical validation)
• empirical analysis of behaviour, time, and locations

Question 18

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Answer 18

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Question 19

behavioural revolution

Answer 19

• use of inductive methodology and empirical validation

- marked moment of transition into social science

Question 20

empirical science and polls

Answer 20

• predicting polls outcomes using empirical data

- fluctuates and misses

Question 21

modern politics defined by…

Answer 21

• scientific approach

- state vs. citizen