Political Theory and LAW ETHR 104 Fall Semester 2012

Political Theory and Law What is this course about?

Political Theory and Law the ‘Reading’? the ‘Exams’?

Political Theory and Law General Outline: Week 1 – Introduction to Political Theory Week 2 – Pre-Modern Political Theory Week 3 & 4 – Power and Authority Week 5 – Law and Order Week 6 – Rights Week 7 – Freedom Midterm Examination (Novermber 14th)

Political Theory and Law General Outline: Week 9 – Freedom and Religion Week 9 – Freedom and Tolerance Week 10 – Equality Week 11 – Justice Week 12 – Democracy Week 13 – Film (?) Week 14 – Essay writing & Revision Final Examination

Political Theory and Law Week 1 Introduction to Political Theory

Political Theory and Law

Political Theory and Law "We will glorify war—the world’s only hygiene—militarism, patriotism, the destructive gesture of freedom-bringers, beautiful ideas worth dying for, and scorn for woman. We will destroy the museums, libraries, academies of every kind, will fight moralism, feminism, every opportunistic or utilitarian cowardice. "

Political Theory and Law Umberto Boccioni, “The city rises”, 1910 Futurist Manifesto, points 9 & 10

Political Theory and Law Pablo Picasso, “Guernica”, 1937

Political Theory and Law "Although I go before you, please comrades, maintain firm in the struggle." - Lee Kyung Hae

Political Theory and Law Permaculture – Urban Permaculture

Political Theory and Law Benazir Bhutto’s funeral – December 28th, 2007

Political Theory and Law Being ‘Political’ can be… advocating a way o file, defending certain values, stating an opinion, joining a community, forming alliances, fighting for a cause... … so not just voting at general elections!

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW What is Political ‘Theory’?

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW Political Philosophy Philosophy is the search for wisdom and understanding

Political theory and law Philosophy is not ‘Science’ Political Philosophy and Political Theory Political Theory is not ‘Political Science’

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW Critical evaluation of political beliefs Clarification and refinement of concepts employed in political discourse

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW Two different ways of studying Political Theory: - Ideologies - Concepts

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW Ideology: “Any comprehensive and mutually consistent set of ideas by which a social group makes sense of the world”

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW What is a ‘Concept’?

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW “A concept is a general idea about something, usually expressed in a single word or a short phrase”

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW A concept is… General Idea Tools with which we think  “The building blocks of human knowledge”

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW A concept is not… Fact Facts have an objective, demonstrable existence. Value Values refer to moral principles or ideals.

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW A Political Concept is different from a… Moral Concept Legal Concept

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW What is a Political Concept? The building blocks of political understanding There is no neutral or objective definition of a political concept “Essentially contested”

POLITICAL THEORY AND LAW Political Theory in the 20th century Western Political Thought