Political Ideas             

Possible Third Exam Questions                    

Exam Date: Dec 1

The exam will consist of several questions chosen from this list.  It will take place during the second half of the class period, so that we can discuss next week’s topic (the environment) before the exam.  You will have about a one page of space for each question.  Good answers will display an understanding of the arguments and ideas we have read and discussed.

1. What does ‘multiculturalism’ mean when it is understood not as a fact (we live in a society that includes more than one culture) but as a normative doctrine (there is something that we ought to do about this fact)?  If I support or believe in ‘multiculturalism, what do I think we ought to do?  Should we support this idea?
2. Why do some feminists believe that multiculturalism is bad for women?  What do you think about this?
3. Why does Bhikhu Parekh think that treating members of different cultural groups as equal may sometimes require us to treat them differently (as when Sikhs are allowed to wear turbans where others would be required to wear helmets)?
4. Do citizens have duties or responsibilities beyond obeying the law?  (To vote?  To become informed so that they may vote wisely?  To participate in political parties or organizations?  To consider not just their own private interests but also the public good when they do vote or participate? Etc.)
5. What should we do collectively, if anything, to promote good citizenship?  Would it be a good idea for the public schools to try to instill the virtues of good citizenship?
6. What does it mean to say that ‘the personal is the political’?  Is it?
7. Is it helpful or hurtful to the cause of feminism (equality for women) to claim that women are in some ways very different from men (than women are more likely to adopt a ‘caring perspective’ than a ‘justice perspective’, for example)?
8. Why do some feminists think that pornography is a terrible thing?  What do you think about this?
9. How might one argue that people in the rich countries are partly responsible for the condition of the world’s poor?  What do you think?
10. Would it make sense to apply Rawls’ principles of justice (including the ‘difference principle’ on a world-wide basis?  Why or why not? (Note: Rawls himself says, “Not.” But others, like Pogge, disagree.)
11. Explain the idea of “the tragedy of the commons.” What implications does it have, if any, for environmental policy?
12. What are some reasons that environmental problems seem particularly difficult to address within ‘normal’ democratic political processes?  Are there ways for a democratic society to face these problems successfully?  Or are we doomed?
13. What might be meant by ‘environmental justice’? Is it a good idea?