Les 1 - eerste les beknopt PDF

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Political thoughts notes Introduction: les 1 What makes a political system legitimate? = central question political thought aka compromise political theory and political philosophy? Politics as a subfield of the ‘being’ and also global approach.  Pol. Theory: wide perspective - praxis  Pol. Philosophy: we have philo but a specific political branch - theoria = both same problems but different perspective!! So political philosophy: take a case make an argument and construct a ‘solution’. Usually an individual rises this ex. Aristoteles…ethnicity does not matter as the truth accurs to all philosophers and they can access this through  Non an abstract, out of the blue activity as it is always made by an individual Arendt: female Jewish philosopher in nazi times. She had a special relation with Heideggerwhich was even a collaborator in nazi regime. She stayed in the US (fleed) and tried to understand Heidegger. She wanted to understand how such smart man could have such evil thoughts  how was the holocaust possibel? She wrote a lot about refugee question as well. Arendt called herself a political theorist. True nature of being (human): if we find this we will find the correct political organization  Plato John Lock most important philosopher on private property. He believed that is he created something he was the owner and that that is the legitimation. Goal political theory: make an argument / definite sociale context or understanding political dimension of being Today: different social problems and context ex. Black lives matter  not a new problematic but it seeems more urgent now to anweser to this problem so political theory is political`1 History to make active relation with political theory  tripple meaning 1. Set of beliefs ex. Philosophy of life 2. ‘borring’ book  a book is borring if you do not understand what is going on. Paralel with current situation 3. activity of constant interrogation: critical thinking  what is the reason, what / where is the argument

1 Books ngram (opz) 1

 combine three in this course +reflection – the nee to question ‘evidence’

Democracy ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Democracy: very various idea with different levels Demos: people – Kratos: power Abraham Linkon definition: government of the people, by the people and for the people Use of authority Souvereignty Good form of governments Representation of minorities

Direct connection between what people want and the law  referendum, elections; but not enough souvereignty of people, not enough to discuss democracy (people wants is democracy – Rosseau lesson 6) -ex. Christian society: does not protect fundamental liberties like right to practice own religion

Democracy can be dangerous aka confiscate the wealth of the wealthier but thisis just a nightmare of conservative thinkers. -Ex. Switzerland: referendum initiative comes from within society -ex. Basic income for everyone in Switzerland  people quite conservative aka scared of poor people rise Affirmative side of democracy: power of the people aka people get what they want  Antidemocratic use of democratic power? Positive side and negative side of democracy being limitations of power Ex. Classical England: bill of rights – king could do nothing but still not enoug to be a democracy Ex. Super deligates Klinton – Trump democratic? Observation regimes ◊ ‘ctual’  democracies are not necessarily labelled with term ◊ authoritarian regimes call themselves democratic ex. Most authoriarian regimes make democratic claims ◊ wester democracies are considered the ‘real democracies’ bcs they are the olders funded during the enlightment  but not actually sure if they are – particracy  government made by the party and its logic  distort democratic idea Democracy as acontestent concept = man variations an different theories on what makes democraty in definition  Participative, delibirative … So why should we prefere democracy? Why is it normative? Are some concepts of democracy more democratic than others?

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Inequality (Accumulated )wealth inequality: money you already have ex. Inheretence  income inequality The wealth you have has an impact on the wealth you will have in the future and your opportunities  studies show that that is not per se true vb. People with two jobs in US. Working heard does not mean you get paid a lot. Luck is also a factor that plays its roll. Is inequality a problem for democracy? Then we must understand what equality means  which inequalities threaten democracies? Identity is not equality but what are relevant criteria?  Same basic right but foreigners do not -> Arendt: countries were kicking people out and they had no nationality and therefor no rights + right to defend your right aka access to justice hich can be really expensive  Gender inequality, equalty of minorities  should we all have same opportunities (egalitarian philosophy) ex. Title came with privilledges in the past (nobles)  now; cast system India When is inequality a threat for democracy? Inherecence is the bff of egalitarian policies 

Les 3 – Aristotele: you have to participate in a political project Most importent of appearences of democraties in plato and aristoteles: solon redistributed the land Suddle point of athene democraty is (placanes- reform Revolutionary: people from diff regons represented 3 regons as such

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