Deck 7: The Ideal State

Question 1

Normative theory is concerned with empirical facts.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

John Rawls's theory of justice is often considered to be the classical example of non-ideal theory.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Give an example of a procedural way of legitimizing the state.

A) Consent (if we consent to it then we are obliged to obey it).
B) Democracy (if we help make the laws under which we live we are obliged to obey them).

Answer 3

A, B

Question 4

The social contract tradition is primarily associated with the work of Adam Smith.

Question 5

Locke promotes positive rights.

Question 6

Give an example of positive rights. Please select all that apply.

A) The right to free education.
B) The right to own property.
C) The right to be free.
D) The right to free healthcare.
E) The right to steal from your neighbour.

Question 7

Rousseau is particularly associated with the idea of the _________.

Question 8

Which are the main features of utilitarianism? Please select all that apply.

A) The promotion of the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
B) The support of a paternalistic state.
C) An essentially pessimistic view of human nature.

Question 9

One of the most useful things about utilitarianism is its aggregative nature.

Question 10

Explain the difference between positive and negative freedom with reference to Berlin's opinions on the matter.

Question 11

John Stuart Mill's 1859 essay was entitled ______.

Question 12

The harm principle posits that the state should forcefully prevent us from harming ourselves, as well as others.

Question 13

The Wolfenden Report of 1957 is an example of Mill's harm principle being applied to real life.

Question 14

Explain the critique of Mill's harm principle.

Question 15

Describe some of anarchism's key features. Please select all that apply.

A) An abhorrence of the state.
B) It shares roots with the socialist tradition.
C) It supports private property rights.