Introduction to Politics

The main political problems

 Political Problems (1): State of Nature
Why should some have the right to pass laws to regulate the
behaviour of others? Suppose no one had such a right. What
would life be like? what would happen in a 'state of nature'
without government? Would life be unbearable? Or an
improvement on how things are now?
 Political Problems (2): Political obligations
Suppose we come to accept that life under government is
preferable to life in the state of nature. Does it follow from
this that we have the moral duty to do as the state decrees? Or
is there another argument that will deliver this conclusion?
 Political Problems (3): Who should rule?
If we have a state, how should it be organized? Should it be
democratic? What does it even mean to say that the state is
democratic? Is there any rationale for preferring rule by the
people to rule by an expert: a benevolent dictator?
 Political Problems (4): The place of liberty
How much power should the state have? Or, viewed from the
other side, how much liberty should the citizen enjoy? To
avoid the ‘tyranny of the majority’, should we be given the
liberty to act just as we wish, provided that we do no harm to
others?
 Political Problems (5): Distributive Justice
If we give citizens such liberty, should this include the liberty
to acquire and dispose of property however they see fit? Or
are there justified restrictions on economic activity in the
name of liberty or justice?
 Political Problems (6): Feminist politics
Is politics restricted to what happens outside our homes?
Should our private lives also become political? Should we just
take more care of each other?