Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 26: Egotism, Class Conflict
24 Aug 2016
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Document Summary
Chart changes in the state since its emergence in history. Determine why the state acts and what we should let states do for us. Rival forms of state: cities, traditional kingdoms, empires (holy roman empire: typically in the medieval period when state was coming into existence, state is not perennial. State model proved superior after 1500: did a better job at bringing order- rising taxes, defending its people. We may or may not always have states: the conditions that made the state the better choice are changing, meaning a new model may arise that is better suited to the times. Hegel saw history as the gradual fulfillment of human consciousness and ideals over time. The ideas were more important than the material circumstances of the time. Development: family model: "particular altruism" - moral, civil society: "universal egoism" -- people moving beyond their family to active engagement in civil/public life-- fundamentally pursuing personal interests, state: "universal altruism"
