CONCEPTS
This chapter
explores some of the fundamental debates which have occurred about
the nature of politics and of the state. It examines the controversies
surrounding the interpretation of key concepts such as authority,
justice, rights, equality and freedom. Although we approach these
issues here in a somewhat abstract and academic manner, it should
not be forgotten that in many cases disagreements about these issues
have been rooted in historical conflicts of great practical importance.
Thus it is no coincidence that many of the key English writers on
such matters – for example Hobbes [1588–1679] and Locke [1632–
1704] – wrote around the time of the English Civil War when the
nature of state authority was central to political events. Similarly the
major contributors to debates on the nature of revolution or
nationalism – e.g. Lenin [1870–1924], Machiavelli [1469–1527] –
themselves played important roles in the political events of their own
times.
Human nature and politics
One of the major divisions in politics is the relationship between
human nature and politics. Philosophers, theologians and psycho-