The Course Project Requires You To Research And Write 191734
The course project requires you to research and write an analytical paper comparing and contrasting the political views of two philosophers on one of the following areas
The course project involves researching and writing an analytical paper that compares and contrasts the political perspectives of two philosophers regarding a specific area of political theory. You are required to select one of the following topics: (a) Human conflict—its nature and causes; (b) the best or most effective cooperative social arrangements capable of resolving or reducing societal problems; (c) the moral foundations of political legitimacy—the concept of the good state; or (d) who should govern—one, few, or many. The paper should explore how the ideas of your chosen philosophers on the selected issue relate to contemporary political debates or issues today. Additionally, your paper must include your own well-supported opinions on the matter in a concluding section.
Paper For Above instruction
The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze and compare the political philosophies of two influential thinkers concerning a specific area in political theory, and to relate their ideas to contemporary political issues. The areas of focus include human conflict, social arrangements, moral foundations of legitimacy, and governance structures. This analysis not only necessitates a detailed examination of the selected philosophers’ views but also requires you to connect these ideas to present-day political realities and debates. Finally, your own perspective on the issue should be articulated and supported to demonstrate your understanding and engagement with the topic.
To begin, select two philosophers whose views align with one of the four designated areas. For instance, you could compare Plato’s views on governance with Machiavelli’s insights on political power, or perhaps contrast John Rawls’ theory of justice with Robert Nozick’s libertarian perspective on social arrangements. Once the philosophers are chosen, conduct thorough research into their writings, articles, and scholarly analyses to understand their core ideas, arguments, and outlooks regarding your chosen topic.
In analyzing their views, it is crucial to highlight the similarities and differences in their perspectives. For example, if comparing their approaches to human conflict, examine their underlying assumptions about human nature, the causes they identify for conflict, and their proposed solutions or visions for resolution. When focusing on social arrangements, analyze their respective ideas on justice, equality, authority, and social cohesion. Similarly, for the moral foundations of legitimacy, explore their criteria for what constitutes a legitimate government, and for governance structures, compare their ideas on centralized versus distributed authority.
Connecting these classical ideas to today’s political landscape involves demonstrating how these philosophies influence, reflect, or oppose contemporary issues. For example, Rawls’ theory of justice continues to underpin debates about social justice, welfare policies, and inequality. Machiavelli’s realist approach remains relevant in understanding power politics, statecraft, and diplomatic strategies today. Analyzing these connections adds depth to your comparison and shows your ability to contextualize classical ideas within modern frameworks.
Your concluding section should articulate your own position on the issue, supported by logical reasoning and empirical evidence where applicable. This might involve assessing which thinker’s approach aligns better with current societal needs, or proposing a synthesis of ideas to address ongoing societal challenges. The conclusion is an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking and personal insight, reflecting on how the chosen philosophies could inform or improve contemporary political practices.
Throughout the paper, ensure clear organization, logical flow, and proper citation of sources. Use academic language and support all claims with well-referenced evidence. A well-composed, thorough analysis will showcase your understanding of the material and your ability to engage critically with complex philosophical ideas and their relevance to today’s political issues.
References
Arneson, R. J. (2019). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
Gray, J. (2014). Machiavelli: The Art of Politics. Routledge.
Lubkin, G. (2019). Rawls and Justice as Fairness. University of Chicago Press.
Machiavelli, N. (1532/1998). The Prince and The Discourses. Translated by Robert M. Adams.
Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
Sen, A. (2009). The Idea of Justice. Harvard University Press.
Sandel, M. J. (2010). Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?. London: Penguin Books.
Tuckness, A. (2018). The Political Philosophy of John Rawls. Princeton University Press.
Wolfe, A. (2017). The Moral Foundations of Political Legitimacy. Cambridge University Press.
Zizek, S. (2008). Violence: Six Sideways Reflections. Picador.