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Political Philosophers, 2005.
This paper compares the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Nicoli Machiavelli.
3,820 words (approx. 15.3 pages), 18 sources, APA, $ 104.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Nicoli Machiavelli represent a unique position, along with some surprising commonalities, in their commentaries on the abstract word "politics". The author points out that English philosopher Thomas Hobbes was born to an era beset by conflict and turmoil, not only from war with powerful Spanish empire but also the revolutionary theories of Copernicus, Galileo and Descartes; this influenced his belief that, if society is to gain control over this conflict, it must submit to some form of authority. The paper relates that Italian-born philosopher Nicoli Machiavelli, also born into a chaotic and tumultuous world, held a similar philosophy; whereas, seventeenth century John Locke believed in the basic goodness of humans with each person in his uniqueness contributing a vital component to society thus humanity achieves its own natural check-and-balance system.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Natural Man and the Need for Government
The Role of Government
The Structure of Government
Traits of the Ideal Government
The Place of the People
From the Paper
"Perhaps John Locke's ideals of individual liberty and the pursuit of happiness can be thought of as predecessors to a modern-day democracy, whereas Machiavelli's and Hobbes' demands on the people to "lay down...rights" for the "common good" would be considered socialism. However, all three political theories stress self-preservation.
Hobbes conceded that a group of public representatives may be able to prevent accesses from a king. And Machiavelli, in a separate text from "The Prince", spoke of "the evil nature of...tyranny, oligarchy, anarchy." He also pointed out the weaknesses of democracies and principalities. Rather, he says, an affective government will "combine them all," one "keeping watch over the other.""
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Max Weber - A Political Philosopher, 2001.
An examination of the theories propounded in two works by this German philosopher with special consideration of his views on capitalism.
3,000 words (approx. 12.0 pages), 4 sources, $ 88.95
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Abstract
In this paper the author begins by considering the ?science of meaning?. Much emphasis is given to two works of Max Weber, ?Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism? and ?Science as a Vocation?, and his theories on capitalism, religion and education. The paper also examines theories of Foucault, Arendt and Rubenstein. The author concludes with the assertion that political decisions infringe on human rights and suggests that the link between the two can often be overlooked.
From the paper:
?When discussing religious affiliations and social stratification, Weber notes that various members of the society perform better. He says that if the occupational statistics of Europe are observed, it becomes apparent that invariably, protestants are the ones who hold higher positions in the society, ?business leaders and owners of capital, as well as the higher grades of skilled labour, and even more the higher technically and commercially trained personnel of modern enterprises, are overwhelmingly Protestant.? A relationship is established between the character of the Protestant members of the society and capitalism.?
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The Outsider as Political Philosopher, 2008.
An analysis of the character of Billy in C.J. Koch's "The Year of Living Dangerously".
1,200 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
In C.J. Koch's, "The Year of Living Dangerously", Billy Kwan is an achondroplastic dwarf who seems to be at war with himself and ill-fitted for membership in any one group or ideology. This paper explores Billy's tormented existence and argues that his crisis of identity and his crisis of political philosophy are deeply entwined.
From the Paper
"To start with, it must be noted that Billy Kwan resembles, at least in his physiognomy, the Indonesian locals who view all of the pale-faced foreigners in Jakarta with such disdain (Koch, 22). Beyond that, Billy seems to be uncomfortably straddling two worlds - his father was Chinese, his mother Australian - and this leads to a crisis of sorts at the center of his being. As Wally notes at one point when discussing his diminutive sometimes drinking partner, "He's not sure whether he is (Chinese) or not" (Koch, 4). This is a remarkably telling passage inasmuch as 1965 - the year wherein the story is held - is right around the time when the People's Revolution is inflaming China and turning that nation's ancient society upside down; not to be passed over lightly, it is also a time wherein Mao has turned the structure of the state towards Marxism. "
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Philosophical Politics, 2002.
Looking at the philosophical debate in "Second Treatise of Government" by John Locke.
1,620 words (approx. 6.5 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Locke's writing which is a revolutionary work on the structure and purpose of political authority. One of the greatest debates of the 16th and 17th centuries was over the nature of political authority. This paper examines "Second Treatise of Government" as it relates to this debate and looks at Locke's philosophical opinions in the same context.
From the Paper
"One of the core principles in democratic thought is the belief that all men are created free and equal. Locke noted, ?there being nothing more evident, than that the creatures of the same species and rank, promiscuously born to all the same advantages of nature, and the use of the same faculties, should also be equal one amongst another without subordination or subjection? (Chapter 2, Sect.4)."
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The Philosophical Dynamics of Politics, 2004.
This paper discusses the work of Nietzsche and Freud to evaluate the political process.
2,850 words (approx. 11.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 84.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that politicians may speak of a harmonious society, greater respect, responsibilities and resources for the individual as well as the society, but their purpose for rising to power is drastically different. The author points out that, if Freud?s representation of the group mentality is accurate, then group mentality is a mobile force, sitting idle and ready to be energized by the politician. The paper states that Nietzsche did not understand the concept of accountability to a higher order; from his paradigm, social justice that sought equal treatment of all men was just as valid as Nazi Germany?s rule of a supreme dictatorship.
From the Paper
"The politician?s activities arise from his or her purpose for power, and we described earlier that the politician can seek this power for two different purposes. If the politician?s purpose is the acquisition of power for self, and the exercise of that power for self, then the politician can never be committed to social justice. The politician who is focused on power as the purpose needs discontent, and disparities between groups of people in order to maintain his own support groups identity, and individuality. And the politician needs to talk about social justice in order to assemble a group of people and give them a common cause. The group without a cause to overcome will soon cease to be a group, thus eliminating the politician?s ability to attain his goals. In his book Civilizations and discontents, Freud states this tendency for people to hold onto values other than what is outwardly apparent in this way."
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Political Socialization, 2004.
This paper discusses political socialization, the political beliefs or values of the people in a society, which has its roots in the views of ancient philosophers such as Plato.
2,035 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that political socialization is the process through which individuals acquire the information, beliefs, attitudes, and values that help them to understand the workings of a political system, and as part of the process, adopt some of the beliefs, attitudes and values. The author points out that the importance of the process lies in the fact that the beliefs and the values of the people are the basis for a society?s political culture, and such culture defines the parameters of political life and governmental action. The paper states that some people argue that people having similar social background, income or education levels, a common religion, race or gender share largely similar political views; hence, political socialization is more of an innate rather than a learned process.
Table of Contents
Background
What is Political Socialization?
Importance
Factors Influencing Political Socialization
Family
Schools
Peer Groups
Mass Media
Arguments that Political Socialization is an Innate Process
Conclusion
From the Paper
"Apart from family and schools, peer groups play an important role in imparting political values of young people. Influence of peer groups in the process of political socialization is more pronounced when an issue directly affects the youth. A pertinent example of this is the issue of the Vietnam War during the 1960s. At the time, young people were the most active participants in the movement against the war since they were directly affected by it?being made to fight in the war that was taking a large toll of lives. It is generally agreed, however, that youthful peer groups have greater influence on the lifestyle and dress as compared to politics."
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Politics from the Greeks to Grotius, 2002.
This paper reviews the history of politics thought, from the time of the Greeks to the political philosopher, Grotius.
1,365 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses political thinker so that we can learn from them. The author believes that religion and corruption play an equal role in historical political trends. The author concludes that the hunger for power and money appear to rule today as they did in the time of Rome.
Table of Contents
Plato
Rome
Cicero
Papal power
Petrarch
Machiavelli
Hugo Grotius
From the Paper
"Hugo Grotius is one of the pioneers of politics as we know it today. He championed natural rights in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His attempt was to divorce politics and morals from religion as such in a break from Calvinist ideals. According to Grotius, God was no longer the only source of ethics. This was the beginning of democracy and free will, as these terms are known today."
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Political Theories, 2005.
Examines similarities and differences in the political theories of Aristotle, Ibn Khaldun, and Machiavelli.
1,327 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
Politics is a part of our lives, whether or not we are politically active, and this is precisely why numerous thinkers have written on the topic. This paper examines three of these political thinkers: Aristotle, an Ancient Greek philosopher; Ibn Khaldun, an Arab historian, philosopher, and sociologist; and Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian political philosopher. The paper shows that, while these three thinkers come from different times and cultures, all recognized the importance of the relationship between the government and citizens, effectively stressed qualities of leadership as the key to the stability of that relationship, but offered very different interpretations of those qualities.
From the Paper
"Aristotle, the first of the three political philosophers to be discussed, was idealistic. According to Fred Miller in "Aristotle's Political Theory," Aristotle attempted to establish a theory of ideal government. The basis of his thoughts was that the citizens were the most important aspect of a political system. Hence, the satisfaction and happiness of a people with their form of government determined whether that government will be a successful and stable one or not. According to Aristotle, the ability of a government to protect its people and to ensure that the majority of the citizens are satisfied, depends upon the leader himself. That leader, if he is to be a good one, has to have the quality of virtue (Miller)."
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Political Philosophy, 2004.
A review of the books, "Political Liberalism, The Law of Peoples", by John Rawls, and "Justice as Conflict", by Stuart Hampshire.
2,046 words (approx. 8.2 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the political philosophies of John Rawls and Stuart Hampshire in their books. Both describe systems of political existence that the philosophers deem as ideal, and both are based on concepts of democratic ideals of equality and justice. The writer shows how each philosopher came to write his theories and how the theories fit in to today's modern political world.
From the Paper
"In opposition to Hampshire?s judicial procedures that negated the need for any sort of ?censorship? to help resolve conflict Rawls system of public reasoning put limitations on content, and on method. His emphasis on rationality being the foundation of harmony led to the inclusion and adherence to "accepted general beliefs and forms of reasoning found in common sense, and the methods and conclusions of science when these are not controversial" (Rawls 1993, p.224-5). His goal was nevertheless the same as Hampshire?s, to provide a public basis of justification accessible to citizens generally."
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Political Orders, 2002.
A study of the political philosophies of Plato, Hobbes, and Rousseau.
755 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper examines and compares the political theories of philosophers: Plato, Hobbes and Rousseau. It discusses how political perspectives are as much a derivate of human nature as they are of the society and their reality is gauged only by the need of the people of the time in which they exist. The paper investigates the need for law inorder to create a peaceful society.
From the Paper
"Every philosopher has interpreted societal behavior in a different manner and placed politicians in a different category gauging laws through an ethical and moral perspective. The political ideas have been studied in light of the society and culture of the times in which they existed and as such vary in their ideology. Yet, each philosopher accepts that man needs a form of control or laws by which they must live in order to survive and the ultimate aim of the laws is to maintain peace and stability in society."
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Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy, 2000.
This essay is divided into two parts whereby the first part examines the three conditions Karl Marx wrote about in "Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy" and the second part explains the predominant philosophical force in the Nicaraguan Revol
710 words (approx. 2.8 pages), 0 sources, $ 25.95
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Abstract
The following essay discusses Karl Marx's "Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy" in which he argued that people will come to the point of seeking revolutionary overthrow of their government when they recognize the ways in which they have been alienated from their own labor. In the second part of the essay the writer contends that this does not seem to have been the predominant philosophical force in the Nicaraguan Revolution.
From the Paper
"If we are to translate this into common English, we see that what Marx is arguing is that the real basis for society is not its culture but its economic structure, or what is more commonly today called the infrastructure. This economic structure includes a number of interdependent but clearly distinguishable parts: the material forces of production which is simply human labor and means of production, and (b) the overall relations of production which are the social and political arrangements that regulate production and distribution (such as copyright and patent law, labor law, labor unions)."
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Five Questions Utilizing Views from Different Philosophers, 2002.
This paper addresses five questions from the views of classic philosophers. Human nature and human advantages can be investigated according to the theories of various philosophers, yet in many respects the views of a specific philosopher can best be used
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper addresses five questions from the views of classic philosophers. Human nature and human advantages can be investigated according to the theories of various philosophers, yet in many respects the views of a specific philosopher can best be used to define and describe a particular circumstance. This paper first presents the five questions and then addresses these questions according to the two theories that best suit that given circumstance.
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Pre-Socratic Philosophers, 2006.
An analysis of the role of the pre-Socratic philosophers in ancient Greece and their role in shaping philosophy into the discipline that we are familiar with in contemporary society today.
2,914 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 11 sources, APA, $ 86.95
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Abstract
This paper examines many of the main pre-Socratic philosophers of 6th Century Greece. It explores their main strands of thought and their conceptions of the world around them. The paper also explores the different types of reasoning that were practised by different schools of philosophy, from more speculative angles progressing to critical thinking. The paper describes the philosophical foundations that were built upon by the later great philosophers Socrates, Aristotle and Plato.
From the Paper
"Abstract thought about the nature of the world and of human existence began to appear in cultures all over the world during the sixth century BCE, and Greek philosophy expressed its' ideas in three main ways. These were speculative thinking, practical thinking and critical thinking. Speculative thinking expressed human curiosity about the world, and strove to understand in natural (rather than super natural) terms how things really are, what their composition was and how they functioned. "Speculation or speculative thinking designates a knowledge or cognition that transcends experience and is directed at the spiritual, super-natural and divine, fundamental to experience" . Practical thinking emphasized the desire to guide conduct by comprehending the nature of life and the place of human beings and human behaviour in the greater scheme of reality and was "directed at moral, ethical and other practical issues" . Finally critical thinking, (the hallmark of philosophy itself) involved a careful examination of the foundations upon which thinking of any sort must rely, tried to achieve an effective method for assessing the reliability of positions adopted on significant issues. Philosophers in general wanted to simply take part in the "rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct" . Similarly to Kant's critical philosophy, critical thought avoided both dogmatism and skepticism and tried to find a middle path that allowed it on the one hand to consider metaphysical principles as necessary constituents of a holistic philosophy and on the other, to re-think these principles on a different level or from another perspective, in the light of the latest insights in science, as well as in the light of the whole preceding development of mankind."
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Justice in Democracies, 2002.
A philosophical look at the issue of justice in a democratic society drawing on the opinion of famous political philosophers.
4,900 words (approx. 19.6 pages), 16 sources, $ 178.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the problems of justice in a democratic society in terms of philosophical, political, and social issues. Political philosophers such as Plato, Augustine, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, and Marx are cited in order to frame the discussion and provide the foundation for subsequent discourse.
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Philosophers and Citizens in Plato's Republic, 2006.
An analysis of the desirable civic traits of both philosophers and citizens according to Plato in the "Republic".
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 1 source, $ 106.95
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Abstract
This book discusses the similarities and differences in Books II through VII of Plato's "Republic" regarding the best combination of civic traits desirable for citizens and philosophers in the city. For example, in his description of the most admirable traits of a warrior-guardian, Socrates declared that those who on each occasion would do what is best for the city would be the best guardians. He also declared that they would also be the best citizens because good citizens devote themselves to the good of the city as a whole.
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