In 5-6 pages (1250-1500 words) answer the following:
“What is the purpose of political society?” is a cardinal question in political theory. HOW do classical and modern political thinkers differ on this question?
Develop your answer with reference to TWO classical thinkers (Plato AND Aristotle) and TWO modern thinkers (Hobbes AND Locke).
Learning objectives: The aim of this assignment is to hone your ability to grasp the logic of different political theories by breaking them down to their fundamental assumptions, modes of argument, and normative conclusions. This analytic approach entails identifying how each thinker defines key concepts in specific ways and how he/she uses them to build a specific argument. Such an “anatomy” of political arguments enables one to compare diverse political theories across centuries and contexts.
You cannot possibly fit into the paper everything that is relevant to the question, so you will have to be selective. Do not simply list what you know about the thinkers you choose. Instead, try to identify the key themes, questions, and problems which they have in common but to which they provide different answers. Doing so would help you construct a meaningful comparison between the political theories under study. A helpful method is to start with an outline that maps the thinkers’ various positions on this question and then delineate what unites or divides these positions.
Please note that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers to the essay questions, though your answer can be more or less persuasively argued, more or less consistently developed, better or worse grounded in the course material.
Expectations: Please ensure that you have A CLEAR THESIS STATEMENT in the introduction. A helpful heuristic is to check if you can formulate your thesis in a sentence (or two) that begins, “In this paper, I argue that …”. Make sure that the essay develops the main argument in a coherent and clear manner, transitions between paragraphs are clear, grammar and syntax are correct, word choice is accurate. Construct your argument through a careful engagement with the readings, lectures, and class discussions. Paraphrase or directly quote from the texts, providing precise citations with page numbers. Avoid simply reviewing and summarizing the readings or lecture notes. Carefully select from the readings what you consider to be relevant for the specific argument you are building in your paper.
NOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEE THIS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! –> Use of resources outside of those provided on the syllabus is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN and will result in a failing grade. The pedagogical purpose of this requirement is to force students to engage the material deeply and to practice analysis and exegesis rather than surfing the web for snippets of seemingly relevant information.
THE COURSE MATERIALS FROM THE SYLLABUS (LOOK AT THE READING LIST IN THE INSTRUCTION DOCUMENT AND ALSO LISTED OUT HERE FOR YOUR EASY REFERENCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) WHICH YOU MUST USE AND CITE ARE –> PLATO + ARISTOTLE + THOMAS HOBBES + JOHN LOCKE –> THESE ARE UPLOADED HERE !!!!!! USE THEM ACCORDINGLY !!!!
MUST USE THE THEORIES TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY !!!!
DON’T BE CARELESS !!!!!!!!!
You can use in-text references (Author, Page Number), footnotes, or endnotes for citing sources as long as your citation format is consistent throughout. –> REGARDING CITATIONS, WE MAY UPDATE THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCORDINGLY BUT THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW FOR NOW!!! GET TO WORK AND DO CITATIONS PROPERLY!! ENSURE THE CITATIONS ARE CONSISTENT, ACCURATE AND CORRECT!!! NO PLAGIARISM + NO FABRICATION!!!!!!! WATCH FOR OUR UPDATES !!!!
PLATO, –>
1. Republic (Oxford, 1993), pp 57-70, 115-127, 137-142, 150-156, 170-182, 190-226, 233-236, 240-249, 302-304
ARISTOTLE, –>
1. Politics, in Princeton Readings in Political Thought (Princeton, 1996), pp. 106-123.
2. Politics (Oxford, 1995), pp. 23-28, 108-112.
THOMAS HOBBES, –>
1. The Leviathan, in Modern Political Thought, pp. 43-64, AND
2. The Leviathan (Norton, 1997), pp. 68-72, 79-80, 122-124, 176. AND
3. Jean Bodin, On Sovereignty (Cambridge, 1992), pp. 46-51.
JOHN LOCKE, –>
1. Two Treatises of Government, in Modern Political Thought, pp. 65-89, AND
2. A Letter Concerning Toleration, in The Selected Political Writings of John Locke, pp. 129-136. AND
3. Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations, Vol. 1 (Indianapolis, 1980), pp. 68-72, 284-285, 356.
Declaration of Independence
FOR JOHN LOCKE, WE HAVE ALSO INCLUDED THE SLIDES BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU TO USE FROM THERE! READ CAREFULLY AND BE WISE, AND REMEMBER TO ALWAYS GIVE PROPER CITATION!!! PUT IN YOUR BEST EFFORT FOR THIS WORK!!
WATCHOUT TO ENSURE THAT YOUR ENGLISH IS ALSO PERFECT! NO GRAMMAR ERRORS. NO SPELLING ERRORS. NO PUNCTUATION ERRORS. BECAREFUL!! WE DEMAND HIGH QUALITY WORK! BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
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