01:790:102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Security Dilemma, Human Nature, Transnationalism
29 Jun 2016
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Document Summary
Do states only pursue power and security: can we focus on things other than self-interest. Humans are, by nature, good; they are only led astray by fear and uncertainty: they may do bad and violent things, but it"s related to fear and uncertainty. Virtues of individual liberty: a cornerstone in liberalism. Faith in human reason, trust, and shared interests all trump fear: backs up individual liberty, fear only comes in amid uncertainty, common interests, common knowledge will become harmony. Conflict and warfare are not inevitable: denounced warfare as evil and barbaric, war comes when fear and uncertainty overtake everything else. Four essential institutions: citizens possess equal civil rights. People have some kind of invested responsibility in the state. An enlightened state: sovereigns derive authority from the consent of the electorate. Denotes a state where the leaders do not derive power from some divine right. Leaders of the state are elected and are beholden to a set of laws.
