Ideas of Jonathan Wolff, by Theme

[British, fl. 2006, Professor at University College, London, then at Oxford University.]

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24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life
Human beings can never really flourish in a long-term state of nature
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people
Collective rationality is individuals doing their best, assuming others all do the same
Should love be the first virtue of a society, as it is of the family?
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract
For utilitarians, consent to the state is irrelevant, if it produces more happiness
Social contract theory has the attracton of including everyone, and being voluntary
Maybe voting in elections is a grant of legitimacy to the winners
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / d. General will
We can see the 'general will' as what is in the general interest
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism
How can dictators advance the interests of the people, if they don't consult them about interests?
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / a. Government
'Separation of powers' allows legislative, executive and judicial functions to monitor one another
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 1. Ideology
Political choice can be by utility, or maximin, or maximax
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 2. Anarchism
A realistic and less utopian anarchism looks increasingly like liberal democracy
It is hard for anarchists to deny that we need experts
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 4. Social Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism probably implies a free market plus welfare
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy
A system of democracy which includes both freedom and equality is almost impossible
Democracy expresses equal respect (which explains why criminals forfeit the vote)
Democracy has been seen as consistent with many types of inequality
A true democracy could not tolerate slavery, exploitation or colonialism
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / b. Consultation
We should decide whether voting is for self-interests, or for the common good
Condorcet proved that sensible voting leads to an emphatically right answer
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / e. Democratic minorities
Occasional defeat is acceptable, but a minority that is continually defeated is a problem
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 4. Free market
Market prices indicate shortages and gluts, and where the profits are to be made
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 5. Freedom of lifestyle
Liberty principles can't justify laws against duelling, incest between siblings and euthanasia
Either Difference allows unequal liberty, or Liberty makes implementing Difference impossible
25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality
Utilitarians argue for equal distribution because of diminishing utility of repetition
Difference Principle: all inequalities should be in favour of the disadvantaged
25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 2. Political equality
Political equality is not much use without social equality
25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 1. Basis of Rights
Standard rights: life, free speech, assembly, movement, vote, stand (plus shelter, food, health?)
If natural rights are axiomatic, there is then no way we can defend them
If rights are natural, rather than inferred, how do we know which rights we have?
25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 4. Property rights
Utilitarians might say property ownership encourages the best use of the land
25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 1. Basis of justice
Rights and justice are only the last resorts of a society, something to fall back on
25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / d. Legal positivism
Following some laws is not a moral matter; trivial traffic rules, for example