Political Science upper division Written Assignment
Humanities
Hi,
You will need to read The Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, or Basic Political Writings by Jean Jacques Rousseau.
Choose ONE of the question prompts below and write an essay 3-4 pages in length, double spaced, and 10-12 pt font. The goal with this assignment is to develop a clear and distinctive argument addressing the question and defending your position.1 According to Hobbes, the sovereign power must be above the law if it is going to be the source of the law. Why does he believe this? Is this paradox of sovereignty applicable to the powers exercised by our own government? Why or why not? 2 How does Rousseau’s state of nature compare and contrast with Hobbes’s state of nature? Do you find one of them more convincing? Why or why not? 3 According to Hobbes, the purpose of politics is to establish a durable source of authority to provide individuals with peace and security. Do you think he is right? Why or why not?
4 With his concept of the general will, Rousseau claims to have reconciled political authority with individual liberty. How does he accomplish this? Do you think he is successful? Why or why not?
5 Rousseau makes the claim that liberty is the ground of human dignity and that the purpose of politics should be to therefore to make people free. Do you think he is right? Why or why not?
Please try to refer to the book and include some of the idea from the book into the essay.
thank you.
