Introduction to Political Theory

Review Final Exam

The final exam will include some basic questions covered in the first and second exams. The ideas below include new material you are responsible for on the third exam.

Machiavelli

Fortune

Virtue

Lion and the fox

types of regimes

the goal of the The Prince

war and politics

militia vs. mercenaries

Cesare Borgia

key recommendations for the Prince to achieve power

qualities a ruler should have

What is Machiavelli’s political ideal?         

To whom did he write The Prince? For What purpose?

Machiavelli on Republican regimes

mixed republic

liberty

political parties

Locke 

what is the origin of the state?

what is the goal of politics?

labor

state of nature

state of war

money

natural rights   

natural law         

types of consent

liberal ideal

slavery

revolution

sovereignty

legislative power

limits on legislative power

prerogative power

federative power

executive power

Hobbes on state of war and state of nature

The Federalist

Publius

democracy/republic

Articles of Confederation

energetic government

problem of faction

Bill of Rights

national v. federal government

separation of powers

checks and balances

Declaration of Independence

new science of politics

the Constitution and the threat of war

Antifederalist arguments against the Constitution

solution to the problem of liberty and order

the Revolutionary ideal

Articles of Confederation

Possible essay questions:

1. Explain the Federalist argument that the Constitution will establish a republican form of government that provides both liberty and political order.

2. Explain Machiavelli’s view of political virtue?

3. Explain Machiavelli’s view of a republic?

4. Explain Locke’s view of the origin and purpose of government.

5.  Is the American Republic the best or best possible regime?

To answer this question choose at least two political theorists’ ideas of the best or best possible regime in order to define and explain the characteristics required for the best possible regime? How does America meet or fail to meet the characteristics you have identified as necessary for best or best possible regime?