Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an 18th-century French philosopher, developed the concept of the General Will (volonté générale) as a central pillar of his political philosophy, particularly in his seminal work, The Social Contract (1762). The General Will represents Rousseau’s vision of a collective will aimed at the common good, serving as the basis for legitimate political authority…
Tag: politics
Burke’s views on citizenship and democracy
Edmund Burke, an 18th-century British statesman, political theorist, and philosopher, is often remembered as the father of modern conservatism. His reflections on citizenship and democracy, particularly as articulated in his speeches and writings such as Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), present a vision of political life grounded in tradition, prudence, and a deep…
Assess the basis on which Machiavelli classified forms of government
Niccolò Machiavelli, often regarded as the father of modern political science, made significant contributions to the understanding and classification of forms of government. In his most influential works, The Prince and Discourses on Livy, he examined different types of political regimes not merely as ideal models but as pragmatic structures shaped by power dynamics, historical…
The concept of obligation in Thomas Hobbes’ Social Contract
Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century English philosopher, is best known for his work Leviathan (1651), where he lays the foundation for modern political philosophy through the theory of the social contract. At the core of Hobbes’ social contract is the concept of political obligation — the moral and practical duty of individuals to obey the authority…
Plato’s vision of the ideal state
Plato’s vision of the ideal state, as presented in his seminal work The Republic, is one of the most influential and controversial models in Western political thought. Conceived as a philosophical response to the political instability and moral decay he perceived in Athens, Plato’s ideal state seeks to achieve justice through a meticulously organized structure…
St. Thomas Aquinas’ understanding of the relationship between the Church and the State
St. Thomas Aquinas, the influential 13th-century Christian theologian and philosopher, developed a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the Church and the State that sought to reconcile Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy. His perspective was central to medieval political thought and helped define the nature of political authority, law, and governance in Christendom. Aquinas’ conception…
Western political thought deals largely with political institutions and procedures relating to them
Western political thought, from its inception in ancient Greece to the modern era, has been deeply preoccupied with the analysis, design, and evaluation of political institutions and the procedures that underpin their operation. The statement, “Western political thought deals largely with political institutions and procedures relating to them,” highlights a central theme in the evolution…
Burke’s critique of Natural Rights and Social Contract
Edmund Burke (1729–1797), an Irish statesman, political theorist, and philosopher, is often regarded as the founding figure of modern conservatism. His most influential work, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), offers a scathing critique of the French Revolution and the radical political philosophies that underpinned it, particularly the ideas of natural rights and the…
The basic characteristics of Bentham’s theory of Utilitarianism
Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832), an English philosopher and social reformer, is widely regarded as the founder of utilitarianism, a moral theory that emphasizes the promotion of happiness and the minimization of suffering. His ideas have had a profound impact on modern ethics, politics, and law. Bentham’s utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory, which means that the morality…
How does J. S. Mill justify equal rights for women?
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), one of the most prominent philosophers and political economists of the 19th century, was an ardent advocate for individual liberty, freedom of expression, and social justice. His contributions to liberal thought are profound, especially in the areas of utilitarianism, political philosophy, and social reform. Among his most notable works, The Subjection…
Tocqueville’s Views on Religion
Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859) was a French political thinker, historian, and sociologist who is best known for his work, Democracy in America (1835–1840). In this seminal work, Tocqueville provides a comprehensive analysis of the political and social structures of the United States in the early 19th century. Among the various themes explored in Democracy in…
Hobbes’ Understanding of Human Nature and Natural Rights
Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) was an English philosopher best known for his work on political theory, particularly his views on human nature and the necessity of a strong, centralized government. His seminal work, Leviathan (1651), offers a detailed analysis of the nature of human beings, the state of nature, and the foundations of political authority. Hobbes’…