GE COURSE: "MORAL
FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICS"
SUMITTED TO: ASST. PROF RAJARAM GARUD
SUBMITTED BY: TINGJIN LESA CHADA MARAK
ID: 2020-B-29122000
SCHOOL: BA/LLB
YEAR: 4TH YEAR
SEMESTER: VII
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
THE ENLIGHTENMENT PERIOD
UTILITARIANISM
MARXISM, ITS FAILURES AND ITS LEGACY
THE SOCIAL CONTRACT TRADITION
ANTI-ENLIGHTENMENT POLITICS
DEMOCRACY
CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
History's influential ideas, stemming from the
Enlightenment, utilitarianism, and Karl Marx's critique of
capitalism, continue to shape our ethics, policies, and
pursuit of a better world. From reason's Enlightenment roots
to utilitarianism's struggle with fairness and Marx's critique
of exploitation in capitalism, these concepts profoundly
impact how we govern and strive for societal equality.
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THE ENLIGHTENMENT
PERIOD
The Enlightenment marked a pivotal era in philosophical thought, notably in redefining
natural law. Building on earlier traditions, Enlightenment thinkers, including Hobbes,
Locke, and Pufendorf, expanded the concept.
Natural law, perceived as inherent moral principles accessible through reason,
transcended religious authority. Locke's proposition of natural rights—life, liberty,
property—rooted in a state of nature, underscored the need for governance to safeguard
these rights.
Montesquieu advocated for governance structured on natural law to prevent tyranny and
protect liberties through a separation of powers. Rousseau and Kant delved into the social
contract and individual moral autonomy within natural law. This Enlightenment discourse
redefined human rights, governance, and ethics, profoundly influencing modern legal and
moral philosophies.
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UTILITARIANISM
Classical utilitarianism, championed by Bentham and Mill in the 18th and 19th
centuries, advocates actions based on maximizing overall happiness for the
majority, termed the principle of utility. However, it's critiqued for overlooking
fair distribution of this happiness among individuals or minority groups,
prompting the evolution into neoclassical utilitarianism.
Neoclassical utilitarianism addresses justice concerns by blending utilitarianism
with rights-based approaches. It acknowledges individual rights alongside the
pursuit of maximum utility, aiming to balance aggregate happiness while
respecting inviolable rights.
Yet, challenges persist in reconciling conflicting rights and ethical complexities,
sparking ongoing debate among ethicists about integrating rights within a
utilitarian framework. This synthesis navigates the enduring tension between
prioritizing overall happiness and safeguarding individual rights in ethical and
policy realms.
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MARXISM, ITS FAILURES
AND ITS LEGACY
Marxism embodies Karl Marx's critical analysis of capitalism and his call for
revolutionary change, highlighting inherent social inequality and exploitation within the
capitalist structure. His theory emphasized the exploitation of the working class by the
capitalist elite, centered on surplus value extraction.
Despite practical challenges in implementing Marxist ideals leading to authoritarian
regimes and economic inefficiencies, Marx's legacy endures. His critique of capitalism
catalyzed discussions on inequality, economics, and societal structures, influencing various
disciplines like sociology and political theory.
While Marx's envisioned communist society didn't materialize, his insights into
capitalism's dynamics and pursuit of a fairer society persist in contemporary debates,
inspiring ongoing discourse on alternative economic models and social justice.
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THE SOCIAL CONTRACT
TRADITION
Robert Nozick's "Anarchy, State, and Utopia" introduces the concept of the
Nozickian minimal state, advocating for a limited government focused solely
on safeguarding individual rights, rather than implementing redistributive
policies.
Nozick emphasizes rights-as-side constraints, asserting that the state should
operate within these moral boundaries to protect citizens' rights to life, liberty,
and property without extensive interference.
He distinguishes between compensation, rectifying specific injustices, and
redistribution, opposing the latter for forcibly redistributing wealth and
violating individual rights.
Nozick's stance aligns with supporting a minimal state that upholds rights
while minimizing government intervention in economic and social spheres
beyond rectifying rights violations.
ANTI-ENLIGHTENMENT
POLITICS
The Burkean outlook, inspired by Edmund Burke, values tradition,
gradual change, and established social institutions to prevent societal
upheaval. Emphasizing the wisdom in traditions, it prioritizes stability WHAT ARE YOUR
and continuity in society. THOUGHTS
Contemporary communitarianism, a response to individualism, stresses Do you think classical literature
community, shared values, and societal unity, cautioning against has an important place in today’s
excessive individualism that weakens communal bonds. education system?
"Contemporary Communitarianism 2" likely explores modern
RE
CLASSICAL LITERATU
applications, balancing individual rights with communal responsibilities,
addressing challenges like eroded community ties and globalization's
impact on local cultures, aiming for a more connected and responsible
approach to community life.
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DEMOCRACY
Republicanism prioritizes representative government, focusing on elected
officials, rule of law, and protecting individual rights against majority tyranny.
In contrast, democracy emphasizes direct or indirect public participation in
decision-making, championing majority rule, equality, and citizen engagement.
The concept of the general will, popularized by Rousseau, seeks the collective
good beyond individual desires but faces complexities in diverse societies.
While majority rule in democracy ensures decisions reflect the majority's will,
safeguarding minority rights is crucial to prevent oppression.
Democracy relies on scientific knowledge in governance but must balance it
with protecting individual rights despite majority preferences, presenting an
ongoing challenge in democratic societies.
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The exploration of diverse philosophical and socio-political concepts,
spanning from the Enlightenment's focus on natural law to the evolution of
utilitarianism and Marxian thought, reveals significant ideological shifts
and enduring legacies.
The Enlightenment emphasized reason, individual autonomy, and the
CONCLUSION common good, influencing subsequent philosophical and political
developments. Utilitarianism, originating from Bentham and Mill, aimed to
maximize overall happiness but faced challenges in addressing distributive
justice.
Neoclassical utilitarianism sought to integrate rights-based approaches for
a balanced view. Marx's critique of capitalism highlighted exploitation
despite practical implementation challenges, sparking discussions on
inequality and alternative economic models.
These interwoven philosophical strands continue to fuel debates on
governance, justice, and societal progress, emphasizing the need for
balanced frameworks addressing individual rights and societal welfare in
contemporary discourse.
