Political Theory Property - 1369 Words

Introduction One of the most confounding concepts in the discipline of political theory is the issue of property. Classical philosophers like Plato and Aristotle dedicate a large part of their works to speculations about the state of nature and property ownership. However, a comprehensive theoretical exploration of the concept of private property ownership is credited to relatively modern philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. The writings of Locke and Rousseau on property ownership are quite fascinating to compare. Both philosophers portray the early stages of man in what they refer to as the State of Nature. This paper takes a critical look at Rousseau’s conceptualization of private property and the state†¦show more content†¦He is deeply opposed to Locke’s idea of man as a sociable being. In his state of nature, man lacks the ability to identify even their own offspring. In the state of nature, Locke and Rousseau seem to agree on several issues especially in the theoretical nature of their conceptualization. Rousseau concurs that State of Nature is a largely nonviolent period. However, his revelation of the state of nature is much more appealing. While Locke appears to insinuate that man has progressed out of this State of nature, Rousseau praises it as a period of harmony and virtue. In addition, Rousseau does not simply take the contemporary man and place him in the State of Nature. Instead, he makes a convincing argument of a relatively different and primitive man who slowly evolves into the modern version. Locke’s version does not explain the evolution of man up untill the state of nature. Rousseau’s argument seems more convincing since facts that corroborate the evolution theory have been unearthed. Therefore, Rousseau’s theory appears entirely reasonable in allocating diverse attributes to ancient man and contemporary man. However, some of the attributes Rousseau’s gives to ancient man and his life in the state of nature are questionable. One these attributes is that man’s basic desires were mostly satisfied. Rousseaus idea of man relaxing while eatingShow MoreRelatedComparison between Two Political Thinkers and and their Understanding of Private Property1464 Words   |  6 Pages Political theories have been collected throughout history, and often shine light and cause debate surrounding the positions of common socio-political themes and topics. When studying political theory, it is important to recognize the philosopher behind the written work, and comprehend why they reflect the political beliefs that they do. This paper will compare and contrast two of the most noted and influential political thinkers and their understanding of private property. The first theory is foundRead MoreLocke And Rousseau s Theory Of A Social Contract1206 Words   |  5 Pagesthey ultimately have a differen t political philosophy. Locke and Rousseau have clearly distinct social contract theories, interpretations of man and the state of nature. In his work, Discourse on Inequality, establishes the idea of a fraudulent social contract. Rousseau further develops his political theory and discusses contemporary themes like the state of nature in, The Social Contract. There is a clear distinction between Rousseau’s theory and Locke’s theory as laid out in the, Second TreatiseRead MoreEvolution and the Modern Social Contract Theory : Essay Outline1050 Words   |  5 PagesThe Emergence of the Modern Social Contract Theory Essay Outline POLS 14033 – Political Ideas and Ideologies The Emergence of the Modern Social Contract Theory Essay Question: Firstly, in this essay, we will describe and analyze the various concepts of the evolution and emergence of the modern social contract theory thru the analysis of several of its key political thinkers. We will provide a detailed review of the concepts that have developed and that were crucial for theRead MoreA Comparative Analysis Of On Property Owning Democracy 1404 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam R. Lund History of Political Philosophy II May 12, 2015 Final Essay Essay Question # 6 Property Owning Democracy: A Comparative Analysis to Marxian Communism John Rawls is an American political philosopher, born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. His work contributed towards a better understanding of justice as fairness and author of the book that bears the same title. In his manuscript, Justice as Fairness, Rawls introduces a new political philosophy known as property owning democracy. WhenRead MoreAge Of Enlightenment755 Words   |  4 Pagesintellectual thinkers, such as John Locke, which helped shape and influence modern government and politics. John Locke is recognized as the father of classical liberalism, introducing the Two Treatises of Government, Social Contract, and private property, which formed the basis for the constitutions in westernized democratic powers such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom. 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Some historians and philosophers believe that without John Locke our government would only be a shadow of what it is today. Arguably, one of his most important political and philosophical works was his Two Treatises of Government. There he argues that the function of the state is to protect the natural rights of its citizens, primarily toRead MoreThe Relationship Between Justice and the Good1551 Words   |  7 Pagesmoral distribution of possessions. From just after the First World War to present day, liberal perspectives emerged and flourished across a variety of ideological theories and continue to influence political thinking in regards to rights, equality and freedom. With this emergence came two very influential theorists in libertarian political philosophy, Robert Nozick and John Rawls, who take very different approaches to how justice relates to the good. 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