Seminar in Social and Political Philosophy

Fall 2002, Fall 2003


Instructor: Mike Kocsis
Office: 024 Watson Hall
Email: 9msk@qlink.queensu.ca
Phone: 533-6000 EXT# 78431
Course WWW page: http://qlink.queensu.ca/~9msk/PHIL343/

Classroom: room 10 Dunning Hall
Class schedule: Mondays 2:30; Thursdays 4
Office Hours: 2-3 pm Thursdays (also by appointment)

Course Outline

Course Summary:

As the writer George Orwell pointed out many years ago, the term "democracy" has been used so frequently for political purposes that now it hardly serves to identify a unique form of society. In this course we will attempt to reclaim the idea of democracy, which has taken on great importance in recent decades, even though it often seems more obscured by ideology than it was in Orwell's day. In the first part of the course we examine the most influential arguments behind a) representative and b) republican theories of democracy, and look at a selection of recent writings which develop these arguments in up to date contexts. In the second part of the course we examine a series of challenges emerging from debates about civil disobedience, individual rights, multiculturalism, gender equality, and philosophical anarchism.

Format:

The course involves both lectures and class discussion. Participation is strongly encouraged. Students would greatly benefit from reading the assigned material (as posted on the reading schedule below) before coming to each lecture.

Evaluation:



Critical essay - Due Oct. 16 in class. (30%)


Critical essay - Due Nov. 7 in class. (30%)


Final exam - Scheduled during exam period. (40%)



The first critical essay (assigned in mid- to late September) will involve a comparison between the two basic ideas of democracy examined in the first part of the course. The second essay (assigned in mid-October) will require students to carefully describe, and defend a solution to, one of the challenges to democratic governance examined in the second part. Students who choose to prepare a draft essay in advance of the due date should feel free to give the draft to me for comments and suggestions. Late essays will lose 5% per day (without appropriate reasons). The final exam will involve a series of short-answer questions touching upon the major lines of thought covered during the term. Specifics will be discussed approximately one month prior to the exam date.

Statement on Plagiarism:

All course work deemed to be in violation of Queen's policies on academic honesty will be handled according to the procedures set out in the A&SS calendar, where Queen's defines plagiarism as; "submitting an essay written in whole or in part by someone else as one's own, preparing an essay or assignment for submission by another student, copying an essay or assignment, or knowingly allowing one's essay or assignment to be copied by someone else for the purposes of plagiarism, using direct quotations or large sections of paraphrased material without acknowledgement, buying or selling of term papers or assignments and submitting them as one's own for the purpose of plagiarism, submitting the same piece of work in more than one course without the permission of the instructor(s)"

Texts:

There are two required textbooks for the course, plus a series of required readings kept at the P&CC. There are two options for copying the P&CC package: readings can be requested and copied one by one inside the P&CC, or they can be purchased already copied and bound (for an extra charge) in a course pack. If it is necessary to obtain additional readings later in the term, the new readings will be left at the P&CC. From time to time I will make reference to the suggested readings, but these are primarily meant to be helpful as background and you are not expected to purchase them. A library reserve list contains each of our texts for use inside the library. The course texts are:

Required: Michael Rosen & Jonathan Wolff, Political Thought. (Oxford UP, 1999).

Required: Will Kymlicka, Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction. Second Edition, (Oxford UP, 2002).

Required: Course Readings from P&CC

Suggested: Bernard Crick, Democracy: A Very Short Introduction. (Oxford UP 2002)

Suggested: Zachary Seech, Writing Philosophy Papers. Third Canadian Edition (Wadsworth, 2000).

On the schedule below:
Rosen & Wolff's Political Thought = R&W
Kymlicka's Contemporary Political Philosophy = KYM
Course readings at P&CC = P&CC

PHIL 343 Reading Schedule

PHIL 343 Reading Schedule:



1. Monday Sept 8 Introduction

-Course objectives
-Evaluation
-Survey of approaches to social and political philosophy

2. Thursday Sept 11 Introduction

R&W:
"Political Power" by John Locke pp. 54
"The State and Coercion" by Max Weber pp. 54-56
"Express and Tacit Consent" by John Locke pp. 59-62
"The Hypothetical Contract" by Immanuel Kant pp. 64-66
"The Priority of the State over the Individual" by Hegel pp. 70-71

suggested:
"The Bill of Rights" (1789) pp. 396
"Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen" (1789) pp. 394
"United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (1948) pp. 398

In this lecture we examine five short readings about political power and the nature of "the state". To prepare for the lecture, in which we will begin to discuss concepts and ideas used frequently down the road, you might try to decide how each of our authors would answer the following questions. Is it beneficial for human societies and political power to be organized into state governments? Is it possible to say that state governments are not only beneficial, but also just? On what grounds would we describe a government as just?

3. Monday Sept 15 topic: Introduction to Representative Democracy

R&W:
"The General Will" by J.J. Rousseau. pp. 96-97
"Freedom and Equality" by Immanuel Kant. pp. 97-98
"Majority Rule" by John Rawls. pp. 100-103

P&CC:
"That the Ideally Best Form of Government is Representative Government" by John Stuart Mill (III) 238-256.

In this class we discuss three seminal authors, each of whom affirm central elements of democratic theory. We then begin to examine and evaluate some powerful arguments made by John Stuart Mill on behalf of "representative democracy", one of the two principal forms of democracy discussed in the course. As you will see, two major themes in Mill's arguments are the ideas of participation and competence. What value does Mill attribute to these foundational concepts, and what role do they play in his argument? What is Mill trying to accomplish in his use of the term "despotism?"

4. Thursday Sept 18 topic: Representative Democracy (continued)

P&CC:
"Under What Conditions Representative Government is Inapplicable" by John Stuart Mill (IV) 257-268.
"Of the Proper Functions of Representative Bodies" by John Stuart Mill (V) 269-284.

Here we examine two readings which further develop Mill's conception. To prepare for this lecture you might try to identify the problems Mill is attempting to resolve in each reading. Why does he claim that representative democracy is "inapplicable" for certain kinds of society? What forms of political institutions does Mill think are best suited to his argument?

5. Monday Sept 22 topic: Representative Democracy (continued)
**Critical essay # 1 assigned in class

P&CC:
"Of the Infirmities to which Representative Government is Liable" by John Stuart Mill (VI) 285-301.
"Of True and False Democracy; Representation of all, and Representation of the Majority Only" by J.S. Mill (VII) 302-325.

In this class we take a more abstract approach to the arguments examined in the last two lectures. You might consider how Mill's general argument for representative democracy guards against the "dangers" described in this week's material. Does Mill's argument give a satisfactory account of how the complications that go hand in hand with democratic government can be overcome? In the end, does Mill's conception of democracy live up to the claim of being the most favourable in its consequences?

6. Thursday Sept 25 topic: Critiques of Representative Democracy

R&W:
"Bourgeois and Proletarian Democracy" by Lenin. pp. 103
"Participatory Democracy" by Carole Pateman. pp. 104-106
"The Danger of Faction" by James Madison. pp. 107-109
"Tyranny of the Majority" by Alexis de Toqueville pp. 109-111
"Bureaucratic Administration" by Max Weber. pp. 111-113.
"Rule by Oligarchy" by Vilfreto Pareto. pp. 113-115

These six readings point to a set of problems that should give us some reservations about accepting Mill's conception of justified democratic government. To structure your understanding of this week's material, you might try to clearly distinguish the criticisms put forward in each reading and explain why each criticism threatens Mill's conception.

7. Monday Sept 29 topic: Republican Democracy and Citizenship

R&W:
"Natural Freedom and the Freedom of the Citizen" by Rousseau. pp. 62-64
"The Democratic Citizen" by Pericles pp. 155-156
"The Requirements of Citizenship" by Aristotle. 156-158
"The Nature of Modern Servitude" by Alexis de Tocqueville. pp. 159-161
"The Republican Ideal of Political Liberty" by Quentin Skinner. pp. 161-172

KYM:
Chapter 7 - "Citizenship Theory" pp. 285-319

Our readings this week depart from the "representative" conception of democracy, and introduce an alternative model that possesses a roughly equal level of recognition in contemporary politics. This model, which is commonly referred to as the "republican" conception of democracy, is closely associated with a certain interpretation of the characteristics of a good citizen. What characteristics of citizenship do our authors use to elaborate this idea of democracy? How might citizens of this sort differ from citizens in Mill's vision of democratic society?






8. Thursday Oct 2 topic: Republican Democracy

KYM:
Chapter 7 - "Citizenship Theory" (continued)
P&CC:
"Republican Forms: Constitutionalism and Democracy" by Philip Pettit. 171-205

This week we look again at the republican ideal of democratic governance. However, we now look more closely at institutional issues. That is, we examine what is called for by republican theories in terms of governmental institutions. Today's readings will suggest a number of questions about republicanism, for example; "to what extent are representative and republican theories of democracy interconnected?", and; "what is the underlying moral argument to be made in favour of the republican conception?"

9. Monday Oct 6 topic: Developments of Republican Theory

P&CC:
"The Public Sphere" by Jürgen Habermas pp. 105-109
"Deliberation and Democratic Legitimacy" by Joshua Cohen pp. 143-155

Here we consider two rather different analyses; first we examine the idea of the public sphere, which is typically considered to be an essential part of representative and republican societies alike, and then we look at "deliberative democracy", a position with deep roots within the republican tradition. Both essays raise many questions relevant to course readings. As you read them it might be useful to identify how each author's point of view is related to the theory of democracy.

10. Thursday Oct 9 topic: Liberal Democracy in Contemporary Politics

P&CC:
"Liberal Democracy" by Frank Cunningham. pp. 27-51
"Legitimacy and the European Union" by David Beetham and C. Lord. pp. 15-33

In this class we consider and discuss two very recent developments of democratic theory; the emergence of liberal democracy as a widespread governmental form and the development of "non-state" forms of democracy like the European Union. These readings should help to summarize and clarify our previous discussions about the theory of democracy, but they should also suggest a series of independent and important questions. For example, one might want to ask; "How faithful are existing liberal democracies to the moral principles set out in the arguments of Mill and Pettit?" How do the dangers identified by Mill and others transfer from abstract arguments to existing forms, particularly in the case of the continually developing EU?

11. Monday Oct 13 Holiday - no class scheduled

12. Thursday Oct 16 topic: Civil Disobedience
**Critical essay #1 due in class

R&W:
"The Duty of Obedience" by Plato. pp. 78-81
"The Duty of Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau. pp. 81-83
"An Unjust Law is No Law" by Martin Luther King. pp. 83-85
P&CC:
"Civil Disobedience" by John Rawls. pp. 413-434
"Civil Disobedience" by Ronald Dworkin. pp. 434-468

In this first class after the holiday we examine civil disobedience, which is an issue that draws upon concepts and arguments that should now be familiar. The three short readings lay out foundational ideas and problems, and the final two pieces introduce two influential "theories" of civil disobedience that have produced much debate. When looking at the theories of Rawls and Dworkin, it might be helpful to imagine the political conflicts that gave rise to each theory and the limits each author attempts to place on the power of state governments (as well as the limits placed on the behaviour of dissenting citizens). As we will see in our readings on the topic of anarchism near the end of term, the line between state power and the autonomy of dissenting citizens is often controversial and rarely can it be sharply drawn.

13. Monday Oct 20 topic: Liberal Rights
**Critical essay #2 assigned

P&CC:
"Taking Rights Seriously" by Ronald Dworkin pp. 328-341
R&W:
"One Simple Principle" by John Stuart Mill. pp. 133-134
"Two Principles of Justice" by John Rawls. pp. 241-245

Central to most widely accepted ides of justified government (but not necessarily to the idea of a democratic society) is the notion of political rights. This week we take up Ronald Dworkin's analysis of liberal democratic rights, and we examine two short readings that suggest different ways to properly circumscribe the fundamental rights citizens should enjoy. In our discussion of these readings we will want to ask how political rights are best seen when democratic ideals are placed at the forefront, and how rights are balanced in practice against the "weight" or democratic and representative bodies of government.

14. Thursday Oct 23 topic: The Liberal Theory of Justice

KYM:
Chapter 3 - "Liberal Equality" pp. 53-101

This week we briefly examine an influential and widely endorsed version of liberalism. The theory described in this chapter is very complicated, but we will still find it possible to define a condensed set of principles that lie at the heart of liberal theory. By identifying and discussing these principles, it will become clear that, while the theory of liberalism often augments and draws upon our familiar arguments for democratic government, there are also several ways in which the two theories are at odds.

15. Monday Oct 27 topic: Nationalism and Minority Cultures

R&W:
"National Sentiment" by Isaiah Berlin. pp. 267-269
"The Virtue of Patriotism" by Alasdair MacIntyre. pp. 269-285
"The Message of Affirmative Action" by Thomas Hill. pp. 285-288
"National Self-Determination" by Avishai Margalit & Joseph Raz. pp. 288-292

For this lecture we move away from liberal theory and consider a set of readings related to nationalism and minority cultures. While reading this week's material, you might try to find an explanation for the "pervasive power and depth" of national sentiment by glancing back at the democratic ideals identified in earlier lectures. You might also try to decide if the claims put forward by minority groups within democratic societies are backed up by concepts like fairness and respect.

16. Thursday Oct 30 topic: Multiculturalism and Minority Rights

KYM:
Chapter 8 - "Multiculturalism" pp. 327-376

Readings for this lecture consist of a single chapter on the issue of multiculturalism. The chapter touches on a few different ways to respond to the claims of minority groups living within liberal-democratic societies, and suggests how we might begin to think about the issue of multiculturalism within the context of liberal theory. While reading and assessing the chapter we will also try to sort out the relationship between the claims of minority groups and the principles identified in our units on Mill's democratic ideals. Is multiculturalism supported by the theory of representative democracy, or is it in the end hostile to it?

17. Monday Nov 3 topic: Liberal Rights vs. Minority Rights

P&CC:
"Individual Rights against Group Rights" by Nathan Glazer pp. 123-138
"Pluralism: A Political Perspective" by Michael Walzer pp. 139-154

This week we take our third and final look at the issue of minority rights/group rights for minority cultures. When reading Walzers' and Glazers' essays on the issue, you might try to develop a position of your own and support that position using the concepts of representative democracy, republicanism, or some combination of both theories.

18. Thursday Nov 6 topic: Feminism and Democratic Theory

P&CC:
"Public Address as a Sign of Political Inclusion" by Iris Marion Young. pp. 103-116

The readings for this lecture shift our focus from multiculturalism to feminism. We examine the arguments of Iris M. Young, whose position (in this essay and other places) can be identified for its democratic elements as much as for its feminist ones. As in other areas of the course, one of our goals will be to identify the connections between democratic theory and other influential political movements, in this case feminism.

19. Monday Nov 10 topic: Gender Equality and Liberal Theory

P&CC:
"The Feminist Critique of Liberalism" by Martha Nussbaum. pp. 1136-1163

This week's reading analyzes the relationship between feminist theory and the basic principles of liberalism. You might ask yourself while doing this reading whether the arguments made by Nussbaum in support of gender equality are supported by, or opposed to, our familiar democratic principles, and whether this fact about democratic principles urges us to reconsider and perhaps re-form those principles.

20. Thursday Nov 13 topic: Gender Equality (continued)

KYM:
Chapter 9 - "Feminism" pp. 377-398-420

This week's reading rounds out our examination of feminism and the connections between feminism and democratic theory. While you go through this reading it might be useful to consider how the different stages in the feminist movement (as identified by Kymlicka) were hindered, and yet also in many cases given support by, democratic principles.

21. Monday Nov 17 topic: The Issue of Just War
**Critical Essay #2 Due in class

R&W:
"Perpetual Peace" by Immanuel Kant. pp. 257-259
"Just and Unjust War" by Michael Walzer. pp. 260-263
"The Limits of Warfare" by Thomas Nagel. pp. 263-267

The important debate over "just war" in many ways puts our familiar arguments about democracy to the test. How are the arguments developed by Michael Walzer related to the "protective" argument we discovered in Mill's writings? Do democratic principles provide us with guidance on the question of when war is morally justifiable? How must the means of war be limited in order to remain faithful to ideas of morality? Can war be justified when its goal is to eliminate what Mill referred to as "despotism"?

22. Thursday Nov 20 topic: Obligations Beyond the State

R&W:
"Justice Between Generations" by Brian Barry. pp. 292-300
"Famine, Affluence and Morality" by Peter Singer. pp. 300-304
"Lifeboat Earth" by Onora O'Neill. pp. 304-319

The principles of democracy looked at throughout the course seem to apply equally to members of the existing society. But there are good reasons to believe that these principles should apply equally to humanity as a whole, perhaps even to future citizens who will benefit from or suffer the choices made by the current generation. This week we seek to decide whether democratic theory can be extended in order to fairly consider the claims and needs of both future citizens and persons living outside the boundaries of a given democratic society.

23. Monday Nov 24 topic: Anarchism and Radical Political Theory

R&W:
"The Conflict of Autonomy and Authority" by Robert Paul Wolff. pp. 76-78
"Science and the People" by Michael Bakunin. pp. 73-76
P&CC:
"The Argument from Tacit Consent" by John A Simmons

For the last two weeks of the course we examine a political theory that builds upon the ideas we discussed under the topic "civil disobedience". We will look at the theory of anarchism, and attempt to situate this radical theory in the context of both representative and republican conceptions of democracy. We will want to ask ourselves whether representative ideals are superior to republican ones, given the anarchist critique, and we will try to decide whether the arguments made by Mill and other democrats successfully confront the anarchist position.

24. Thursday Nov 27 topic: More Radical Approaches

P&CC:
"Anarchosyndicalism and the Intellectual" by James McGillvray pp. 177-220
[from Chomsky: Language, Mind and Politics]

In the final lecture we will examine a current and perhaps more radical interpretation of the anarchist position put forward in the work of Noam Chomsky. In the last part of the class we will take up some of the general course themes, and briefly discuss the study questions from which the final exam will be drawn.

Conclusion - tie together some of the course themes
Review - prep for final exam



**Final exam scheduled by Queen’s during exam period.

PHIL 343 Course Info