Blog

Political Theory – Short Essay 

Instructions:

Here are some essay questions and topics drawn from (and around) Chapter 2: “Human Nature and Political Theory”, and Chapter 3: “Liberalism: Rights and Justice”. (Some are directly related to the core textbook we are studying: Questions/Topics 1 – 8 for Chapter 2, and Questions/Topics 17 – 23 for Chapter 3.) The others: Questions/Topics 9 – 16 are more general and more difficult. Do not attempt these latter, unless you feel confident of providing an interesting answer IN YOUR OWN WORDS and without any hint of plagiarism. In all cases – there should be some reference to Raymond Plant’s “Modern Political Thought “, as well as other sources. Both the textbook based questions and Topics and the additional Questions and Topics are included to help you develop your ideas and understanding of Political Theory – so they are all worth thinking carefully about anyway.

As before, please choose only ONE to work on for your 2^nd Short Essay (c. 600 – 1,300 plus words).

1. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Aristotle’s ideas in relation to human nature and political theory. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
2. How realistic and convincing do you find Aristotle’s emphasis on the quest for/innate sense of “human good” and “human happiness” as being central elements of human nature?
3. If you know something about the philosophy of Existentialism and the work of Jean-Paul Sartre, in particular – compare and discuss some of the elements and differences between Aristotle’s and Sartre’s views of human nature and reality. (Plant introduces his discussion of this dichotomy on pages 34 – 35.)
4. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Thomas Hobbes’ ideas in relation to human nature and political theory. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
5. Hobbes presents and maintains a much more cynical and pessimistic view of human nature than Aristotle. From your current knowledge and understanding of human history and political behavior – do you find yourself more in agreement or disagreement with his arguments and ideas?
6. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of David Hume’s ideas in relation to human nature and political theory. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
7. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Erich Fromm’s ideas in relation to human nature and political theory. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
8. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Herbert Marcuse’s ideas in relation to human nature and political theory. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
9. If you are already familiar with the work of some of the members (both central and peripheral) of the Frankfurt School, such as: Theodore Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Herbert Marcuse, Erich Fromm, Walter Benjamin and Jurgen Habermas – which writer do you currently find the most interesting and worthy of deeper study?
10. David Held begins his important 1980 book: “Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas” by stating that: “The writings of what (we) may loosely refer to as a ‘school’ of Western Marxism – critical theory – caught the imagination of students and intellectuals in the 1960’s and early 1970’s.” Can you examine and discuss some of the social, psychological and political reasons for this phenomenon?
11. “All knowledge is ideological – it is a reflection of the values, ideas and, crucially, interests of particular social groups.” (Steans et al, 2010) What do you understand by this key reflection of the critical theorists?
12. “Theory should be directed towards uncovering impediments to change and identifying the emancipatory potential of certain social groups and forces. Knowledge should be directed towards the project of human emancipation.” (Steans et al, 2010) What do you understand by this key reflection of the critical theorists?
13. The agent – structure debate. Examine and discuss how “opportunities for human intervention or agency are constrained by historical circumstance (the dominant structures and practices of the contemporary capitalist world order.)” (Steans et al, 2010)
14. “Human Nature” is not fixed or essential, but shaped by the social conditions that exist at any period in time.” (Steans et al, 2010) What do you understand by this key reflection of the critical theorists?
15. “Core to emancipation is the achievement of dialogue in which those communicating take each other seriously and do not try to impose their argument on the back of their more powerful status.” (Steans et al, 2010) Can you examine and discuss some examples of this communicative hurdle in today’s world?
16. Do you agree with the universalistic claims and aspirations of Critical Theory, or do you have more sympathy with some post-modern, relativistic views that there cannot necessarily be any agreement over what is morally right or just across cultures? Illustrate and expand your answer with concrete examples and discussion of such.
17. Give a short summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s arguments and analysis in the concluding section of Chapter 2: “Human nature and political argument”. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
18. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Hayek’s ideas about “justice in a free society”. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
19. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Rawls’ ideas about “contract and rules”. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
20. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Gewirth’s ideas about “agent, action and generic goods”. (You may also draw on other sources, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
21. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Dworkin’s ideas about “neutrality and preferences”. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
22. Give a short and clear summary and discussion of Raymond Plant’s analysis of some of Nozick’s ideas about “the entitlement theory of justice”. (You may also draw on other sources in your discussion, if you wish to – but this is optional.)
23. Finally, if you would like to compose your own title, based on (or around) any of the above suggestions, perhaps by summarizing, contrasting and discussing some of the key ideas of two or more writers, then please feel free to do so. (If you would like to attempt this, please consult with me first.)