American Political Science :: Politics Government Essays

American Political Science In politics as in political science and legal scholarship, the world sometimes seems to be divided into those who think that for the sake of efficiency as well as justice markets must be free from regulation by morals and those who believe that, considerations of efficiency notwithstanding, justice demands that morals govern markets. In his instructive and admirably balanced new book, Cass Sunstein contends that, for all concerned, this is a bad way for the world to be divided. Sunstein sets out to show the superiority of a third view: markets and morals exercise a reciprocal influence on each other, and a respectable political science and a responsible jurisprudence must grasp the complicated relationship between them. In support of his thesis, Sunstein examines a remarkable range of ideas and issues: the ambiguity of preferences; the need to devise empirical measures of human well-being to solve problems of adjudication and public policy that arise in the modern welfare state; the complex origins, the pervasive influence, and the political regulation of social norms; why markets alone cannot put an end to discrimination; free speech issues raised by the Internet; constitution making in Eastern Europe; the relation among property rights, democracy, and constitutionalism; neglected consequences and complicated trade-offs in the regulation of the environment and health; and the project of using the legal system to democratize America. In making his case, Sun stein is conscientious about introducing qualifications to his claims, drawing out problems of implementation inhering in his reforms, and identifying dangers associated with his programs, though occasionally he blurs the distinction between openly acknowledging a difficulty and responding to it by scaling back his theoretical ambitions or revising his political programs. The two crucial and connected points, to which Sunstein returns again and again, are that markets are complex institutions and that morals are an irreducible element of social and political life. It is not exactly that there is no such thing as a free market or that morals are everywhere, but that free markets cannot be understood in isolation from beliefs and practices, especially beliefs about what is just and good for human beings and practices that prepare or prevent one from participating effectively in commercial, democratic society. Moreover, because they depend on and are partly constituted by law, free markets are not only more complex but also less autonomous than they sometimes appear. For example, the law of property provides rules of entitlement and the law of contract establishes rules of transfer.

Class Evaluation

To be honest, I think the class was organized just right even though it was a very fast course. It seemed like we covered a lot of ground in just few months. I feel like I got more out of this class than I have in some of the other classes I have spent entire semesters in. I also found it helpful that there was some variation in the assignments. From the assignments and researches, I achieved a great deal of understanding about critical thinking, writing a correct sentence and most of all realizing the different thoughts from different people in the class.People have their own opinions in every worked paper we have done which helps me to realize that people have different believes concerning different issues. I respect every once opinions and am happy that I took them as a good knowledge gained. I just wish I would have taken a class like this sooner! The research and actual writing process just seems so much easier once you break it down. As this is my first semester, I experienced a lot of learning experience. I hope I can use the little knowledge I gained from this class to the next classes coming my way.After taking this course, the process for writing a paper seems so much easier. It is  just a matter of learning the right techniques for finding sources and actually writing the paper. I know that I will definitely use what I have learned in the near future. I believe everybody in this class is cool, smart and each of you has a great potential in life and I hope we all achieve the same goal we pursuing in life. And hope we put what we just learned from this class into a great used. Thank you so much Dr. Lumpkin!This class has been one of the most helpful classes I have ever taken. Before taking this class, I thought I knew the proper techniques for writing a research paper, but was I wrong. One of the most helpful aspects of this class has been the fact you always want us to understand about the research. The way you teach the parts of speech was so aweso me. What I really like about it is your verb agreements! At least it helps me to realize correct pronunciations of a sentence which is a great advantage and I know that’s your main motive.I believe you excellent. You are just not a good lecturer but a good mother. I said this because you were not just there to discuss about the subject but about life in general. You shared most of your life experience with the class and I am so very happy you did. You are always in a good mood whenever you come into class and this makes me confident to participate in class discussion which I am so happy of. Am just glad I had you as a lecturer all thanks to Wayne county community college.

To Obey or Disobey - 1771 Words

Obedience is an age old expectation that rulers, priests, and government officials have required for years from their subjects. Most of the time individuals follow their leaders without question. This is the case because the population from which obedience is required believes that they continue to have a choice. When, for whatever reason this belief is lost, some individuals will begin to exhibit an increasing disobedience to the requirement. This often increases to the point of violence or, the case of a country, war. While there are all types of disobedience, this paper will discuss civil disobedience and the social pressure often associated with it. A good example of this type of cycle can be found in the historical background†¦show more content†¦(724) Universities over time have done a lot of research trying to understand why people obey and disobey. Most people believe they are good and trustworthy. These individuals feel no matter what occurs they will always try to do the right thing in their day to day life. In The Perils of Obedience, Milgram tells of a woman â€Å"that the last shock she administered to the learner was extremely painful and reiterates that she did not want to be responsible for any harm to him†. (695). Despite her desires she still administered the shock, thus being obedient to the person in charge and not to what she believed. Individuals who still believe in the concept called into question by the disobedient group, often feel intense pressure to maintain loyalty to the old ruling entity. In Doris Lessing’s article, Group Minds, she states â€Å"But the majority will continue to insist-speaking metaphorically-that black is white, and after a period of exasperation, irritation, even ange r, certainly incomprehension, the minority will fall into line†.(724) Pressure to conform can manifest itself in another way as well.. Individuals may feel compelled to follow the ideas and rules of someone else and follow that group of people no matter what path it my lead them down or where those ideas and rules may take them. Social pressure comes from everywhere; family, church, friends, jobs, co-workers, and etc.. During theShow MoreRelatedArticles on Whether to Obey or to not Obey1027 Words   |  4 Pagesconsider them â€Å"just† and to ultimately obey to their guidance. We must be â€Å"just† followers in order to recognize a â€Å"just† leader among all of the â€Å"unjust† ones. Obeying to leadership is as important as having a sane population to be lead. The second article written by Erich Fromm was entitled â€Å"Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem.† The main idea is that people should primarily evaluate their mo ral and ethical principles rather than blindly obey authority. The author gives evidences fromRead MoreOrders: Non-commissioned Officer and Order Essay1011 Words   |  5 Pagesallegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.† Whether you’re black or white, woman or man, your first language learned was Spanish or English, if you enlist in the United States Military you swear this oath. National Guard enlistees swear a similar oath but with an addition that they â€Å"swear to obey the orders of the Governor of theirRead MoreThe Holy Qur An And From Authentic Hadith From Our Beloved Messenger Of Allah926 Words   |  4 Pagesthe group. To show the importance of having a leader the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa salam) also said, â€Å"If a man takes an oath of allegiance to a leader, and puts his hand on his hand and does it with sincerity of his heart, he should obey him as much as possible. If another man comes and contests him, then behead the other one† (Welcome). Of course, just having a leader is not the point. The leader must be just and have the people’s best interest at heart. Aisha (radiallahu anha) reportedRead MoreEssay on The Role of Power in Obedience1381 Words   |  6 PagesTo Obey or Disobey: The Role of Power in Obedience People’s decision to obey or disobey the law is based on how much power (in its various forms) they perceive the law to have behind it. The power of coercion is one maintained by every government in human history: the power to punish. The power of legitimacy is a much more subtle power: the power to appear as an authority and let others presume that you know best. While enforcing law, authorities will exercise both these powers. Both powersRead MoreObedience Is Not A Bad Thing Essay1420 Words   |  6 PagesCompliance with an order, request, or submission to another’s authority is obedience. Just about everyone obeys someone or something on a daily basis without even thinking about it. It is normal and useful for keeping law and order in a common civilized society. Obedience is not a bad thing, it is just a way of controlling people. However, the opposite end of obedience is disobedience which is usually viewed as bad, especially in the context of a societal view. Both obedience and disobedience serveRead MoreObedience Is Not A Bad Thing Essay1465 Words   |  6 PagesObedience is defined as compliance with an order, request, or submission to another’s authority. Just about everyone obeys someone or something on a daily basis without even thinking about it. It is normal and useful for keeping law and order in a common civilized society. Obedience is not a bad thing, it is just a way of controlling people. However, the opposite end of obedience is disobedience which is usually viewed as bad, especially in the context of a societal view. Both obedience and disobedienceRead MoreDisobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem780 Words   |  4 Pages while irrational authority would be identified by the likes of a slave and his owner who demonstrates complete disregard of the slave’s happiness or well-being, his only interest being how the slave will benefit him. Through a veil of lies man obeys the State, the Church, the mass opinions of their peers, or any other organization that they view to be in power. This affords him a false sense of safety and protection. In his obedience, man feels strong allowing him to be controlled by the fearRead Moreâ€Å"Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem† Disobedience as a Phycological Moral Problem by Erich Fromm796 Words   |  4 Pages while irrational authority would be identified by the likes of a slave and his owner who demonstrates complete disregard of the slave’s happiness or well-being, his only interest being how the slave will benefit him. Through a veil of lies man obeys the State, the Church, the mass opinions of their peers, or any other organization that they view to be in power. This affords him a false sense of safety and protection. In his obedience, man feels strong allowing him to be controlled by the fearRead MoreEssay Just and Unjust Laws: Should the Unjust Laws be Obeyed?751 Words   |  4 PagesOne has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. Martin Luther Kings words, which just correspond with the above assertion, perfectly tell us what to do in face of laws, either just or unjust. To be sure, modern laws are made to express the general will, a will that aims at the common good. This means that laws in most cases intend to protect every social member’s rights under the principle of justice andRead MoreRigh and Wrong656 Words   |  3 Pagesfrom the statement of a perfectly general moral principle to its application in his particular case: * One ought never to do wrong (even in response to the evil committed by another). * But it is always wrong to disobey the state. * Hence, one ought never to disobey the state. And since avoiding the sentence of death handed down by the Athenian jury would be an action in disobedience the state, it follows Socrates ought not to escape. The argument is a valid one, so we are committed