The social contract
Part I: Short Essays:
Answer the following Five questions with a few sentences or at most several paragraphs. There is no need to construct a formal essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion. (Do that for Part II of the exam.) Just answer each question directly as it is posed to you on the test.
1) Explain at least three ways the life experiences of Thomas Aquinas influenced his philosophical ideas and his support for monarchy.
2) What does Machiavelli mean when he says it is better for a leader to be feared instead of loved? Be sure to support your answer with evidence from the text or renaissance Italian politics.
3) What does Machiavelli mean when he says that leaders need to cultivate the virtues of the fox and the lion? Be sure to support your answer with evidence from the text or renaissance Italian politics.
4) Explain at least three ways the life experiences of Hobbes, Locke or Rousseau influenced their attitude toward government. (Pick one of the three philosophers to answer the question.)
5) How does Locke define toleration and explain why is it important for civil society and democratic governments to have it?
Part II: Essay
Answer the following question. When writing your essay, be sure to address the issues and theories we have covered in class. Specific examples from the reading, lecture or films will also be helpful.
The Social Contract
Compare and contrast the arguments of two of the following three social contract theorists: Hobbes, Locke and/or Rousseau. When writing your answer please be sure to address the following specific issues:
1) Explain and analyze the theorists’ use of human nature and the state of nature.
2) Define and explain how a citizen becomes part of the social contract and to what extent the theorists rely on the consent of the governed.
3) What are the major features of the political system and how is it supposed to make decisions?
4) What are the duties, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship if any?
5) How may a citizen, if at all, leave the social contract?
6) Which of the contract theorists do you find most persuasive and why? Are their ideas still relevant to contemporary political problems
