Mid Term Examination: April 2003
Question 3. Outline and contrast some of the basic elements of Political Philosophy. Who are the major political thinkers as studied in this course? What are some of the main similarities and differences between their theories? How has political theory been put into practice throughout political history? Which political theories have dominated in 20^th Century global politics?

Throughout the centuries philosophers have searched for the answer to a profound philosophical question—Is it possible to achieve Utopia? Utopia, after all, the perfect society is a universal dream. Many theories and ideologies have sprouted from this very question and many renowned theories have been developed. As a result, the 20^th century has experienced ideologies from democracy, capitalism, socialism, communism to fascism. These different political approaches are representations of the many paths taken by philosophers on their quest for a stronger political system. An analysis of the realist theories of Nicco Machiavelli, the communist ideologies of Karl Marx, and an overview of the major dominating political theories of the 20^th century will outline and contrast some of the basic elements of political philosophy.

Italian Philosopher Nicco Mac sought realism, observed human nature and believed in the true inner evils of mankind. He was a pessimistic realist who focused his main theories around the concerns of security and survival. Mac’s theories differed greatly from those expressed throughout the medieval period. Medieval thinkers believed that politics had its origins in theology while Mac strayed from the mainstream thinking and put his beliefs in the natural law. He believed in strong political necessity rather than moral perfection. In this way Mac’s theories shared common ideas with those of the Ancient Roman Republicans. They both valued the study of politics, felt that understanding the cruel realities of the world was the only way to better it. Realist Greek philosopher, Thucydides recognized that war in Greece sprung from fear provided by shifts in the distribution of power across the state. Mac adopted similar realist views related to Thucydides and also made war and power a large aspect of his studies. Mac believed that in order for leaders to maintain power and control they must be loved but also feared. He is notable for his famous beliefs in "the ends justified the means" (Mac). This theory states that it is acceptable to do bad in order to achieve a communal good. Over the past century many state leaders have adopted and applied this theory, for example Israel’s Yitzhak Rabin. In 1988 Rabin ordered Israeli soldiers to destroy the Palestinians. As a result of this evil act he gained the trust, love and fear of his people. He was than elected, and used his power for the common good in developing peace talks with the Palestinians. Therefore, Rabin’s "ends justified the means." Mac’s theories have played an important role in our political system however, as the author of The Return of Ancient Times, Robert Kaplan states there must be somewhat of a balance between Mac’s realist theories and true idealist views even though realism is more practical. "We must remember that human progress has often been made in the space between idealism and savagery; idealism, by idealizing ignores difficult facts, however well intentioned it is."

In contrast to Mac’s realist approach, Karl Marx ideally fathomed theories of equality for all. Mac centered his studies on power and state security while Marx focused on economics and equality. Marx envisioned a society with the abolishment of classes, the abolishment of private property and the mentality that every man is created equal. Marx can be contrasted to philosopher Adam Smith. Smith believed humans are self serving creatures but that as long as everyone were to seek the fulfillment of their own self interest, the materials needed by the whole society would be met. Smith strongly supported capitalism, private ownership and economic growth. Marx disagreed, as he could not see how capitalism was better for economics if classes still existed, especially classes of poverty. The controversy that lies between these two philosophers directly relates to the conflicts of the Cold War, Communism vs. Capitalism. Theoretically, equality is not an adverse thing but when implemented into society it proved to be extremely unsuccessful. Many countries have adopted communism and collapsed because of it, for example the USSR. Although Marx meant for communism to be global for it to truly be effective the USSR conformed to communism and failed horribly due to a corrupt government. Author Steven Weinberg in his article 5 ½ Utopias explains why communism proved to be unsuccessful. "It is a cruel joke of history that in the 20^th century the passion for equality has been used to justify communist states in which everyone was reduced to an equality of poverty." Although, communist ideas ceased to work for the USSR or Hitler, communism still exists in countries such as China and Cuba.

Realism and Communism have both dominated eras of the 20^th century. The century began with the end of the French and British Empires due to the costs of colonization and globalization. People believed in the inevitability of democracy and peace. However, The Great War showing the ostentation of democracy did not impress but countered revolution against democracy. Bolshevism in Russia, Fascism in Italy, Nazism in Germany and Militarism in Japan all rebelled against the democratic idea. The Cold war was one of the ideological, geopolitical, military and international rivalries between the super powers, the US and USSR. Conflict arose as the east endangered the western democracies and the free market economic system. Westerners viewed Marxism-Lenninism as an ideology that hushed economic and individual freedoms. Eventually the communist USSR collapsed resulting in a single democratic hegemony, The US. Presently, democracy has spread. President Clinton declared "More people on this planet live under democracies than dictatorships"(Has Dem a Future). New York Times further states "3.1 billion ppl live in democracies, 2.66 do not. According to end-of-history doctrine as expounded by its prophet, the minority can look forward to the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government." The century has seen many political and philosophical theories adapted into its governments. Whether these adaptations have been good or bad it depends on the country and the degree of corruption within the government. Due to the path political ideology has presently taken, it looks as if the world is heading towards a future of democracy, but in a world of many different political perspectives it is difficult to tell for certain.

Conclusively, our century has been exposed to many great ideologies of brilliant yet crazed philosophers. Thinkers such as Machiavelli, Thucydides, Karl Marx and Adam Smith have provided a basis for our present political world. Their theories have lived on to mold and shape many different states as leaders such as Rabin, Stalin, Hitler etc have applied them. The evolution of the political situation of the 20^th century has seen many successful and unsuccessful ideologies. As our world has recently entered the new millennium, democracy is most common. However, what is to come in the future is still unknown.