Unit+1+-+Introduction+to+Political+Theory


 * Day 1 ** - Introduction to the course and discussion of goals for the course.
 * Day 2 ** - Introduction to the early political philosophers.

Now that we've set goals for the course and know exactly what you want to be looking at, we need to begin by asking ourselves one fundamental question: Why do we have governments? For many, the answer is rather basic: to protect people from others or provide basic services for the citizens. Others may respond in a more cynical manner, such as "to control the people". However, one thing that most people will agree on is that governments exist (at least in most democratic countries) to ensure that justice is carried out. The next question, naturally, is "What is justice?" That's the question that we'll be exploring today.

First, you will need to read the overview of [|Plato's Concept of Justice]. Following your reading of this, I want you to explain, in your own words, what Plato found unsatisfactory about previous definitions of justice and an explanation of Plato's own personal definition of justice. When answering this, you should also keep Plato's historical context in mind.

Secondly, you will be reading a brief section from [|Leviathan] by Thomas Hobbes. Again, in your own words, explain Hobbes' definition of justice, considering the time and place where Hobbes is writing.

Third, I want you to think like a philosopher... How would Plato and Hobbes think of the following concepts:
 * Democracy
 * Representative Government
 * Authoritarianism
 * Mass Education

Finally, I want you to critique these two definitions of justice. What is accurate about them? Are there situations or scenarios that they overlook? How would you, personally, define justice?

These responses can be uploaded to turnitin.com.
 * Day Three - More "recent" political philosophy... **

Today, we'll be discussing the works that you read for the previous class. From there, I want you to begin to lay out some principles for a government that would meet your definition of "justice" and any other goals that a government, in your mind should be able to meet. Again, you'll be turning this work in to turnitin.com. Be prepared to justify your responses to this exercise.

**Day Four - The Federalists**

Obviously, the colonists and the British had differing ideas about what "justice" is, or was, and in the end, fought a war over the issue. The colonists won and after one failed attempt at establishing a government, formed what is now the US Constitution. The Constitution, however, was not approved without considerable debate with much of the opposition coming from many of those who supported independence from Great Britain. Today, we'll begin looking at some of the arguments laid out on both sides both for, and against, the Constitution.

Your first task is to get a basic overview of what each side is arguing. You'll do this by reading [|Federalist #1] and [|Anti-Federalist #1].

Next, we'll look at some of the major issues that were raised with regard to the new Constitution and how those issues were argued by both sides. Those issues include:


 * The Executive Branch** [|Federalist #67] and [|Anti-Federalist #67]


 * Representation in Congress** - [|Federalist #52] [|Federalist #62], [|Anti-Federalist #55] and [|Anti-Federalist #61]


 * The Judicial Branch** - [|Federalist #80] and [|Anti-Federalist #83]


 * Taxation** - [|Federalist #31] and [|Anti-Federalist #30-31]


 * Checks and Balances** - [|Federalist #51] and [|Anti-Federalist #51]


 * Conclusions** - [|Federalist #15] [|Federalist #85], [|Anti-Federalist #10], and [|Anti-Federalist #85]

For each of these, I'd like you to write a critique of both the Federalist and Anti-Federalist stance and post it to turnitin.com. (Note: For the "Conclusions", just write a general critique of their concluding remarks and overall concepts of government.) Be sure that you keep in mind the issue of justice and the other "principles" of government that you developed. Good luck!