Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Archos, Social Contract, Homo Economicus

• School: Western University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: Political Science 1020E
• Professor: Nigmendra Narain

Document Summary

Poli sci lecture #4 notes: anarchism, the state and political obligation, the social contract. In locke"s state of nature, the executive power of the law of nature is possessed by: each person, god, the sovereign, the police, the guy with the biggest weapon. Anarchism: an + archos = without rulers, we would bet better off without government, cooperation is beneficial, so it tends to evolve. Hobbes reply to anarchism: fear, suspicion, and competition will overwhelm cooperation, a few bad apple can ruin everything. 2 more anarchist responses: both moves seem to optimistic (1) humans are naturally good: all anti-social behaviour is caused by government (2) social cooperation without coercion is possible. If these responses fail we have 2 options (1) continue, (2) coercion from state. The state and political obligation: neg argument: the state is only alternative to the state of nature. Is there a positive argument for a moral duty to obey the state.