Political Ideas - Second Exam Due date: Monday, November 24

Answer three of the following questions. Answer one question from Part One, one from Part Two, and the single question in Part Three. Answer each question with an essay approximately 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pages long (typed, double-spaced). Try to express your ideas in your own words, using only brief quotations from the readings, if any. When you do quote or paraphrase the ideas of other authors, give them credit and indicate where you found the idea. (A page reference in parentheses is sufficient for this purpose; formal footnotes are not necessary.)

Part One (Answer one question)

1. In the Communist Manifesto Marx and Engels wrote, "The executive of the modern State is but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie." Less dramatically, many on the left have argued that, in a capitalist society, government cannot be genuinely democratic because capitalists (or ‘the rich) will inevitably have disproportionate political power. What reasons can be given to support this claim? To what extent do you think the claim is true? What might be done to make a capitalist society more democratic?

2. What do you think of the idea (an idea found in anarchism, in the 'Green' movement, and in some forms of socialism and some forms of feminism) that we ought to be trying to create a society in which, to the greatest extent possible, no one has power over anyone else because everyone has equal power, a society in which there is no domination, no hierarchy, no coercive authority? Is this possible? (If so, how? If not, why not?) Is it a good idea?

3. Conservatives and liberals sometimes argue that the historical record of so-called socialist and Communist societies demonstrates that the basic idea of socialism/communism is fatally flawed. Critically discuss this claim.

4. What do you take to be the central principles or ideals of socialism? What, if anything, do you find attractive in the ideals of socialism? What problems do you see in the idea of socialism? How might people who are committed to the ideals of socialism try to overcome these problems? Do you think such efforts could succeed?

Part Two (Answer one question)

5. Liberation ideologies sometimes take the form of a ‘politics of identity’ or a ‘politics of difference’ (sometimes also called ‘multiculturalism’). These ideologies reject the idea that a just society should ‘treat everyone the same’ or be ‘color-blind’. Instead, they say, justice requires respect for the different cultures and histories of different groups, and this requires policies like affirmative action and group representation. Discuss.

6. Liberal feminists have argued that women will be 'liberated' when liberal principles of freedom and equality apply to women, too. Is this liberal feminist vision of equal rights an adequate understanding of what is involved in 'women’s liberation', or are other changes needed as well (as radical feminists argue)? (Explain your answer and respond to the opposing view.)

7. Some people think that the most important contribution of feminism to political thinking has been the idea that "the personal is political", that is, that many aspects of life that were previously thought to be private or personal or, anyway, not part of politics, do have a political dimension. What are some examples that would illustrate this idea? What do you think of this idea? What consequences does it have for politics?

8. Critically discuss the following claim: gay and lesbian people should have all the same rights and privileges as heterosexual people, including the right to marry and the right to be free from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Part Three (Answer this question, too.): The 'Green' movement rejects both capitalism and socialism on the grounds that they are equally committed to 'unsustainable' policies of industrialism, consumerism and the pursuit of economic growth. Explain and critically evaluate the Green's call for a reorientation of our society and politics towards 'sustainability'. Does this shift really require a new political orientation? Or can environmental concerns be adequately addressed by one or more of the ideologies that already exist (liberalism, conservatism or socialism, for example)?