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UT Knoxville POLS 300 - POLS 300 Notes Wk 1

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ThucydidesReadings:1. "The Melian Dialogue" from The History of the Peloponnesian War2. Korab-Karpowicz Ch. 13. http://www.iep.utm.edu/polreal/ Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy: stresses order and hierarchy, subservience of the citizen (or the subject) to the state and society; What is justice? What does a good society look like? What are the duties/obligation of the citizen? What is the role/obligation of the state? What is the best government type/why? The Rule of Law; virtue; the behavior and qualifications of rulers Modern Political Philosophy: stress influence Enlightenment thought and a "scientific" approach/explanation; focus on the individual (rights and political power); Representative government; What are the duties/obligations of the citizen? What are the powers of the citizen? What is the role/obligation of the state? What are the limitation of the state's power? What is the best government type/why? The Rule of Law; the behavior and qualifications of rulers. Empirical Studies: the primary inquiry of political science (American Comparative, International Relations). Represents the pursuits of knowledge based on "what is" Found in statistical analysis, quantitative measuring.Examples: Incumbency Advantage in America politics; Democratic Peace in International Relations. Normative Studies: the realm of political philosophy. Theoretical questions on "what should be" in an abstract manner- examines ideal types, logical principles, moral and ethical principles.Problem with this approach? No permanent answers, no final authority, subject, differ from time to time and culture to culture. What is Knowledge?From Ian Shapio- Yale1. "The interior angels of all tirangles equals 180 degrees."a. This is an analytical proposition; definitional; valid independent of observation. Factual based on the definition. 2. "earthquakes are caused by shifts in tectonic plates."a. This is an empirical proposition gained from observation and are subject to change. Factual based on observation. 3. "Justice is equal shares for all, prosperity or punishment."a. This is a normative proposition. Based on what? (Values, "what ought to be", opinions, etc.) Classical Realism1. Centrality of Power2. "Might makes Right"*Continued Later* Herodotus (~ 485-425 BCE)The Histories: Descriptions of the known world primarily surronding the "history" of ancient Greece."Father of History" and "Father of Lies"Descriptions of conflict bewteen Greek city-statesGreco-Persian Wars, 499-449 BCESupports the views of the Classical Realism as the primary behavior in the politics in the ancient western world. Thucydides (460-411? BCE)History of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE)"The Melian Dialogue" 1. An Athenian general and aristocrat2. The Peloponnesian War was between the Delian (Athenian alliance) and the Peloponnesian League (Spartan alliance)3. The Spartans are referred to as the Lacedaemonians after a Spartan general.4. Athens had a naval dominance, Sparta land-based dominance. Melian Dialogue (416 BCE)1. Negotiations for surrender between the people of the island of Melos and the Athenian2. The Athenians represent the Realist view of politics, the Melian, while making some Realist statements, also rely on Idealism in their arguments. Classical Realism:1. Political realist believe that the driving force in politics is power (might makes right)2. Power- the ability to influence others (more than they influence you).3. Self-Interested Rationality- Self-interest dominates, not idealism, negative view of human nature.4. Politics is aimed at gaining power, keeping power, and increasing power.5. State-Centrism - Most important players in global politics are nation-states Structural (Neo-) Realism: 1. International anarchy2. Similar pursuits of all nations-states- security; viable economy; general welfare of population.3. Variable distribution of capabilities (variable power) as measured militarily, economically, and demographically. This is how power is measured. Idealism:1. Similar context to normative "what should be" or "what could be" questions.2. Order, cooperation, reliance on human reason, ethical behavior, virtue (justice, wisdom, courage, temperance), religious influence, etc.3. Knowledge and pursuit of what is "best" *Melians argue fortune, hope, faith in the gods, standing on "just" grounds, honor, and reliance on


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UT Knoxville POLS 300 - POLS 300 Notes Wk 1

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