Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Social Science Fiction, Radical Change, Joseph De Maistre
18 Nov 2013
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Traditionalism inclined to be suspicious of change, especially large scale revolutionary change. Skepticism about political knowledge: wisdom comes from inherited laws and institutions. Organic conception of society and the state: analogous to an organism, we are not individuals we are formed by our social institutions and practices, anti-atomism. Liberals liberals: for rational justification and transparency; against appeals to superstition and tradition: everyone should know what the law requires beforehand. Conservatives: suspicious of reason; favour sentiment over scrutiny: we shouldn"t investigate too deeply, we are creatures driven by emotions. Hierarchy: against equal rights for everyone because there"s a natural hierarchy. Need of a strong military: states need to provide order and security. Critic of the french revolution of 1789: saw it as a reckless attempt at radical social transformation, predicted fall of the church, fall of king and queen, etc. from studying history people started listening to him. Against revolutionaries" views of human nature, society, freedom, and government.
