To be free. . .

one must be chained.

Paradox

Something that contradicts itself, or cancels itself out.

Something that is both really good and really bad at the same time

Cognitive Dissonance

(mind war)

The feeling you get when a paradox is playing tug of war with your brain.

good bad

What makes us human?

What does it mean to be human?

What is “human nature?”

In your opinion, is it human nature to generally be good?

Or is it human nature to generally be bad?

What makes us human? In other words, what things make us a unique species?

What is “human nature?”

In your opinion are we (humans) generally good or generally bad? If left entirely to our own devices would we act in a good way or a

bad way?

To be free. . .

one must be chained.

Thomas Hobbes

People are basically bad. Gov’t needs to make them safe.

John Locke

People are basically good. Gov’t needs to preserve their freedom.

Vs.

3 Roles of Gov’t

Order Freedom Equality

-protect life & property

-promote social order

Rules for common behavior

Civil Liberties

Freedoms guaranteed to people. State what the Gov’t can’t do.(freedom of speech)

Civil Rights

Privileges given to people & protected against random removal by Gov’t

(right to vote)

political equality

1 person = 1 vote

*

Most recent & most controversial role of Gov’t

= 1 vote

= 1 vote (each)

1 vote

1 vote

3 Roles of Gov’t

Order Freedom Equality

-protect life & property

-promote social order

Rules for common behavior

Civil Liberties

Freedoms guaranteed to people. State what the Gov’t can’t do.(freedom of speech)

Civil Rights

Privileges given to people & protected against random removal by Gov’t

(right to vote)

political equality

1 person = 1 vote

social equality (?)

+/- equality in wealth, education, & status

*

Most recent & most controversial role of Gov’t

Equal OpportunityEach person has the same chance to succeed in life.

Equal OutcomeGov’t policies help make people equal.

Title IX - colleges must set aside = $ for women’s sports.

Tax rich to fund programs for the poor

Gov’t involvement in private life clashes w/ freedom

1960’s - Equal Pay Act

Requires employers to pay men and women The same amount for equal work.

Employer’s are forced to pay women more than they would if their payment policies were based on free choice.

1970’s - courts ordered the bussing of students out of their district to achieve a fair distribution of students in public schools.

1990’s - The Americans with Disabilities Actrequired all modes of public transportation and all Public building to be handicapped accessible.

3 Roles of Gov’t

Order Freedom Equality

-protect life & property

-promote social order

Rules for common behavior

Civil Liberties

Freedoms guaranteed to people. State what the Gov’t can’t do.(freedom of speech)

Civil Rights

Privileges given to people & protected against random removal by Gov’t

(right to vote)

political equality

1 person = 1 vote

social equality (?)

+/- equality in wealth, education, & status

*

Most recent & most controversial role of Gov’t

The Political Spectrum

The range of beliefs about the proper role & purpose of Gov’t

Left = More Gov’t Right = Less Gov’t

Totalitarian Anarchy

The Political Spectrum

The range of beliefs about the proper role & purpose of Gov’t

Liberal/Democrat Conservative/Republican

Left = More Gov’t Right = Less Gov’t

Liberal Conservative

Role ofGov’t

Purpose of Gov’t

Gov’t should provide public goods

Generous support for:

Public education

Wildlife Protection

Public Transportation

Gov’t should NOT provide public goods (charity should)

Supports private business

Use Gov’t to promote equal outcome

Use Gov’t to maintain social order (and ensure economic freedom)More accepting of

differences between people & cultures(Multiculturalism)

Wants to preserve traditional roles & ideas

Totalitarian Anarchy

Fascism

Libertarian

RightLeft

(Gov’t has TOTAL social control)

(Gov’t has ZERO social control)

(Gov’t has TOTAL $ control) (Gov’t has ZERO $ control)

CapitalismAllows privately owned business where people compete for economic gain.

Achieve your goal by any means

Relies on the free market to determine the price of goods and services

The public chooses based on their interests. No Gov’t interference

Laissez Faire - means “hands off”