evolution of political theory political science i

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Evolution of Political Theory Political Science I

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Evolution of Political TheoryPolitical Science I

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What are the major political theories of the classical political theorists?

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Natural Rights

• Natural rights are inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property

• The concept of natural rights was central to English philosopher John Locke’s theories about government and was widely accepted among America’s Founders

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John Locke’s Theory of Natural Rights

• People exist in a state of nature in which there are no formal laws or governments; instead, laws of nature govern people, laws determined by people’s moral sense• Natural law • Brings natural rights, which include life, liberty, and

the right to property• Can justify a challenge to the rule of a tyrannical

king because it is superior to manmade law

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John Locke’s Theory of Natural Rights (continued)

• Became the basis for the concept of the “consent of the governed”• This concept was adopted 100 years later by the

Founding Fathers of the United States of America while writing the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution

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John Locke’s Theory of Natural Rights (continued)

• Adapted from other classical political theorists• Plato

• Had a concept of “natural law”• One of the first philosophers to write about the concept of natural rights• We live in an orderly universe which we call “nature”• “Laws should guide by an order that is natural and rational” • Plato’s important question: “What is just?”

• Aristotle • Wrote mainly about a “natural Aristocracy,” but was greatly admired by the

Founding Fathers• Believed that the characteristics of other types of governments were also

important to support the “natural rights” of citizens• Considered natural rights to also be the rule of God

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Popular Sovereignty

• The notion that ultimate authority in society rests with the people

• Adapted by John Jacques-Rousseau from John Locke’s “social contract theory”• Rousseau stated that each individual possesses the

God-given right of self-determination and the ability to be governed

• Rousseau’s theory on government was belief in a true democracy

• He compared representative government to slavery

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Popular Sovereignty (continued)

• The only legitimate government is one that promotes the interests of the people and governs with their consent• Government is the instrument for carrying out the people’s

will

• Sparked the American Revolution in 1776• The concept of individual rights is eventually what led to

the creation of a capitalist economy in the US• The concept of capitalism is the exact opposite of classical

political theorist Karl Marx• Marx believed that government should control all means of

production and remove any sort of social class in society

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What caused these classical political theories to evolve into contemporary political theories?

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Belief in Universal Foundations

• Schools and universities• The Age of Enlightenment (1600s–1700s) – a

cultural movement of intellectuals that began in Europe in the 17th/18th century and eventually spread to the US

• Before the Age of Enlightenment, education was a privilege for only the most wealthy citizens in society

• Schools and universities allowed citizens to share ideas and philosophies about subjects like politics, government, and religion

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Belief in Universal Foundations (continued)

• Schools and universities (continued)• During the Age of Enlightenment, education

was provided to citizens of all classes• Literacy rates in Europe rose to around 60

percent by the 18th century (Melton, p.81)• The increase of literacy rates led to an increase

in • College/university attendance• Printing educational materials

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Belief in Universal Foundations (continued)

• Books• The increase in literacy rates • Created a higher demand for books in Europe• Caused a change in the content of the books

• Most printed books prior to this time were religious books• By 1790 only 10 percent of books printed were of religious

content (Melton, p.82)

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Belief in Universal Foundations (continued)

• Books (continued)• The Age of Enlightenment ushered in a new

type of literature• Citizens became more interested in the writings of

political and scientific thinkers• This allowed citizens to learn and share ideas about

different subject, including politics, philosophy, and government

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Ending Oppression

• Expansion of rights to citizens• The expansion of education in society allowed citizens

to become more educated about social issues• When the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution and

the Declaration of Independence the rights they spoke of only applied to white, male property owners

• As education progressed in the US and social ideas were exchanged, oppression of the people began to subside

• There have been several historical events in American history during which rights were expanded to an oppressed group of people

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Ending Oppression (continued)

• Ending oppression in the US• Although the Declaration of Independence states, “All

men are created equal,” this only applied to white, male property owners until 1850

• This was the first time that evolving political theory in the US expanded rights to a group of people, ending their oppression in society

• This occurred several more times in the US and continued to shape political theory among American citizens

• Ending oppression in the US was the result of social events like war and large social movements

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What historical events in the US caused a change in political theory?

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1700s–1800s

• The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution and Declaration of Independence which expanded rights to citizens following the American Revolution

• Victory against the British ushered in new concepts of political rights and freedoms

• As political parties began to form in the US, and citizens became more educated, political theory in the US evolved

• Although the US expanded rights to all males, they excluded any rights to slaves

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1700s–1800s (continued)

• The issue of slavery became a polarizing issue in the US by the mid-1800s

• By 1861 in the US, the issue of slavery was one of the reasons that caused the division of the states into the US and the Confederate States

• The Civil War was fought over issues such as slavery• The 15th amendment extended the right to vote to African-

American males, but still excluded all females in the US

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1900s

• By the 1900s, women were the only citizens in the US who were still not afforded the right to vote

• Women organized and petitioned political leaders that they too deserved the right to vote under the concept of “all men are created equal”

• As more and more people became involved in the political process, politics began to change in the US

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1900s (continued)

• By World War II, the US began to see the change from classical political theory, to contemporary political theory

• The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s

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2000s

• Social Networking• Has changed the political process since the

creation of social networking 2000s• Allows candidates to cheaply and effectively

send information to voters using social networking and video sharing sites

• Considered an example of David Easton’s Post-Behavioralism Theory by some

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2000s (continued)

• Scientific Research• New technology has opened up several new

career fields in political science• Politicians now hire researchers who use

scientific research to predict voter trends and turnout

• This information is crucial to a candidate’s campaign because it can determine areas to which campaign money should be directed

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How will political theories continue to evolve in society?

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Constant Change of the Needs and Wants of Citizens

• Systems Theory• An abstract way of examining the political

process today• Helps predict how the political landscape will

change in the future• There will always be competition in society,

which in turn will always create a demand for change

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Constant Change of the Needs and Wants of Citizens (continued)

• Systems Theory (continued)• Issues are cyclical and will always be in a

continuous cycle of social and political change• Will continue to be the model for decision

making for years to come because there are a wide range of topics that are highly controversial and polarizing

• As society creates demand over issues the political agenda will evolve

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Political Parties Must Win Office to Survive• Rational Choice Theory

• Explains how candidates are elected in contemporary politics

• Now that the concept of “natural rights” has expanded to all groups of people in the US, there are many different opinions in society and all groups can influence elections

• Candidates must try and influence all groups in society in order to gain votes

• Because candidates often shift their opinions to a more centrist position so that it will appeal to more voters

• May become obsolete in the future

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Political Parties Must Win Office to Survive (continued)

• In order to influence the decision making process, political parties must win offices on the local, state, and national levels• Voting rights were expanded to all citizens ages 18 and

older, which broadened the voting base• The 26th Amendment to the US Constitution expanded

these rights to citizens

• Political theories will continue to evolve throughout society as opinions change and citizens become more involved in the political process

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What career opportunities will be available as political theory changes?

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Political Consultant

• Plays many different roles during a political campaign

• Most often requires a bachelor’s degree in a field such as political science, public relations, or communications

• Requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a flexible environment

• Must also be up-to-date on current political trends and political platforms

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Political Consultant (continued)

• Continue to be an important part of the political process

• Can be a very profitable career, depending on the level of consulting

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Lobbyist

• Must persuade politicians to vote on legislation that favors the interest(s) they represent

• Most have college degrees with majors such as political science, journalism, law, communications, public relations, or economics

• Very influential when it comes to legislation• Cannot personally give money to politicians but can help

to raise money from outside sources for their campaigns• Corporations and organizations pay lobbyists substantial

salaries to influence legislation

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Resources• Bertram, Christopher, "Jean Jacques Rousseau", The Stanford Encyclopedia

of Philosophy (Winter 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2012/entries/rousseau/

• Bose, Meena, John Dilulio, and James Wilson. American Government: Institutions and Policies. 13th. Boston: Wadsworth Cenage Learning, 2013. Ch. 4. Print

• Edwards, George, Robert Lineberry, and Martin Wattenberg. Government in American: People, Politics and Policy. 15th. New York City: Pearson Education, 2011. Ch. 1, Ch. 11. Print

• Harrison, Brigid, and Jean Harris. American Democracy Now. 2nd. New York City: McGraw Hill, 2011. Ch. 1, Ch. 9. Print

• Kraut, Richard, "Plato", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2012/entries/plato/

• Mathews, John Mabry. Legislative and Judicial History of the Fifteenth Amendment. Union, N.J.: Lawbook Exchange, 2001

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Resources (continued)

• Melton, James Van Horn. The Rise of the Public in Enlightenment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Print.

• O'Conner, Karen, Larry Sabato, and Alixandra Yanus. American Government: Roots and Reform. 11th. New York City: Pearson Education, 2011. Ch. 1. Print.

• Patterson, Thomas. The American Democracy. 9th. New York City: McGraw Hill, 2009. Ch 1. Print.

• Shields, Christopher, "Aristotle", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2012/entries/aristotle/

• Wolff, Jonathan, "Karl Marx", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2011/entries/marx/

• Alexander Keyssar, The Right to Vote: The Contested History of Democracy in the United States (2nd ed. 2009)

• "Career: Lobbyist." Princeton Review. 2013: n. page. Web. 13 May. 2013.