Political Science 5 – Western Political Thought - Spring 2013 - Power Point Presentation #1 - © 2013 Tabakian, Inc.

1. Western Political Thought
Dr. John Paul Tabakian
Political Science 5
Fall 2012 – Power Point #1

2. WELCOME TO THE FIRST WEEK!
New semesters bring various hiccups for
everyone. This also goes for your
instructor. We are all adjusting to new
situations, course schedule conflicts and
other adjustments. This course utilizes
various methods to deliver information.
Many of our materials are media driven.
You will find many to be humorous,
thought provoking , or even interesting.
This first clip is presented merely for fun.
It is titled “Welcome To School”.

3. COURSE LECTURE: WEEK #1
Today’s Lecture Covers The Following:
• Introduction To Course
• Syllabus Review
• Classical Political Thought
• Modern Political Thought
• Organic Roots Of The United States
• Early Elite Influence In American History
• American Persona
• Transparency
• Minor Paper Assignment #1
• Final-Major Paper

4. PLAGIARISM POLICY
Students are advised that plagiarism will not be tolerated. Your
instructor has adopted the following definition of plagiarism that is
followed by Cleveland Chiropractic College: “Plagiarism is defined
as the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or
parts or passages of writings of another, or the ideas or language of
the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.
To be liable for ‘plagiarism’ it is not necessary to exactly duplicate
another’s writing; it is sufficient if unfair use of such work is made by
lifting of a substantial portion of the work, including material from the
internet. If plagiarism is detected in the final draft of a student’s
work, he/she will be given a final grade of F.” My personal advice to
all students is the same that one of my graduate professors offered
to my class, “When in doubt, cite!”

5. CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT
Aristotle states that inherent within man’s natural state of being,
there exist different roles that are designated according to the need
of any community. Special virtues are rewarded to those who accept
their roles without question, beginning with those terms identified by
Aristotle in the household, where the roles of husbands, wives,
children and slaves are defined. Roles are assigned, for no man is
able to exercise the same talents while producing exact levels of
quality in their finished work (Politics, Book 1, Chapter 4, 1253b1).
As the polis consists of citizens with enough leisure time to
participate in government functions, it is the citizenry that
determines those roles to be filled. Government itself has no
emotions, or soul. Rather, it is the political activism of a few elites
according to Aristotle that makes all government decisions.

6. MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
Classical liberalism refers to the beginning in terms of a
historical rendition of the periods capable of being identified in
which man existed. John Locke is recognized as being one of
the first to anticipate the rise of liberal thought in his time.
American political thought has been heavily influenced by
Lockean principle. Simply put, liberalism derived comes from
the straightforward ideology of capitalism, as one cannot have
one without the other. Locke justifies capitalism by utilizing
liberalism to criticize inequality, shaping everything around the
premises of liberty and equality, thus coming to the conclusion
that society cannot have one without the other.

7. ORGANIC ROOTS OF THE UNITED STATES (1)
In their quest for designing a viable representative
government, the founding fathers dedicated themselves to
careful study of the political philosophy of Europeans.
Focusing primarily on British political thinkers from the 16th
and 17th century, the founding fathers focused primarily on the
natural rights of man, which in turn varied according to the
individual philosopher studied. Over the course of their study,
the founding fathers openly discussed their opinions with one
another so as to properly bring forth differing views in order to
prudently construct a government that would protect individual
liberty, as well as determine what was required of government
to protect civil liberties.

8. ORGANIC ROOTS OF THE UNITED STATES (2)
The theory of singular government deeply influenced founding
fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton
and even later political leaders like Abraham Lincoln, to present
leaders of today. John Locke’s articulation of human nature, in
turn relating the law of nature, which is reason, emphasized that
a state of inconvenience results in a state of war (Second
Treatise, Locke). The most acceptable alternative to a state of
nature is a civil society or government, as long as the
established authority protects equality. As the fundamental
desire of mankind is life itself, government’s foremost priority is
to protect property. Alexander Hamilton further propounded this
position in that government is indeed a reflection on human
nature (Federalist Paper #51).

9. TECHNOLOGICAL MEANS OF DISTRIBUTION
Culture is influenced through various
means that include print, radio and
television. We will also examine how the
common individual may use technology
to distribute ideas in a cost effective
manner. This video is just one example of
how technology allows practically anyone
the ability to influence their fellow man.
Technological advancements have
empowered common citizens with
creative minds to produce their own
propaganda. “The War On Terror”
sparked a great deal of media distributed
via the Internet. Elites no longer maintain
total control over distribution.

10. ELITES AND MASSES IN EARLY AMERICA
THE LAYERS
ELITE
DOMINATED SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, & POLITICAL LIFE
MIDDLE CLASS
SUCCESSFUL BODY OF INDIVDUALS
FARMERS
GREAT MASS OF WHITE AMERICANS
WHO HAD LITTLE INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

11. ELITE PREFERENCES:
INSPIRATION FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION
• Government Under The Articles Of Confederation
• Established A “Firm League Of Friendship”
• Identified Powers Belonging To The National
Government
• Reassured Each State Of Its
• Sovereignty
• Freedom
• Independence
• Repayment Of Loans Made To Congress
• Investors Who Backed The American War Effort
Had Difficulty Securing Their Loans
• Without The Power To Ta, The Future Of The
American Government Looked Bleak

12. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Though the American Revolution was that of ideas, it was a full
out war. Victorious, the thirteen colonies established and lived
under the Articles of Confederation until the adoption of the
Constitution of 1787. Revolutionary itself, the Articles of
Confederation provided little assistance for a nation absent of
leaders who possessed experience in governing the whole
country. The Articles of Confederation linked the thirteen colonies
in mainly defensive guarantees. Though a congress with typical
authority associated with a central government was established
with normal duties including the right to declare war, engage in
treaties and coin money, there lacked an executive branch to
enforce decisions. Congress was state directed, with each state
having a single vote. Nine out of thirteen states had to agree if
anything were to be passed.

13. ELITE PREFERENCES:
INSPIRATION FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION
• Protection Of Bankers And Creditors
• State-Issued Paper Money Permitted Debtors To Pay
Off Creditors With Money Worth Less Than They
Originally Owned
• Opening Western Land To Speculation
• Need A Strong Central Government
• With Enough Military Power To Oust The British
From The Northwest
• To Protect Settlers Against Indian Attacks
• The Protection And Settlement
• Cause Land Values To Increase
• Make Land Speculators Rich

14. ELITE PREFERENCES:
INSPIRATION FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION
 Protection Of Shipping And Manufacturing
 Strong Navy Important To American Commercial
Interests
 Tariff Barriers Not Adequate Against Foreign Goods
 Ensuring The Return Of Runaway Slaves
 Protection Of Human “Property” Sought
 In 1787, Slavery Was Lawful Everywhere Except In
Massachusetts
 Nation’s Founders Prepared To Protect Slavery
 Southern Economy Highly Dependent On Slaves
 Exercising Powers In World Affairs
 Confederation Held In Contempt By Britain And
Barbary States
 Elite Wanted To Assume Role In The International
Community And Exercise Power In World Affairs

15. FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ELITE
• An Annapolis Convention
• Report That Outlined Defects In The Articles Of
Confederation
• Called Upon States To Send Delegates To New
Convention To Suggest Remedies
• George Washington’s Prestige
• 55 Men Chose George Washington In The
Summer Of 1787
• Stood At The Apex Of American Elite Structure

16. FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ELITE
• Founders’ Governing Experience—Wealthy
Individuals
• Wealth Assumed A Variety Of Forms:
• Land, Ships, Business Inventories, Slaves,
• Credit, Bonds, Paper Money
• Founders’ “ Continental” View
• Cosmopolitanism Distinguished The Men Of
Philadelphia From The Masses
• “Continental” Point Of View For Political,
Economic, & Military Issues
• Members Of The Elite Extended Their Loyalties
Beyond Their States

17. ELITE CONSENSUS IN 1787
• Goal Of Government Is To Protect Liberty And
Property
• Origin Of Government Is Implied Contract Among
People
• Elites Believed In
• A Republican Government
• Limited Government Could Not Threaten Liberty
Or Property
• A Strong National Government Could
• “Establish Justice,
• Insure Domestic Tranquility,
• Provide For The Common Defense,
• Promote The General Welfare, And
• Secure The Blessings Of Liberty”

18. AN ELITE IN OPERATION:
CONCILIATION AND COMPROMISE
• Representation Compromise
• Addressed Representation In The National Legislature
• Slavery Compromise –The Three-fifths Compromise
• For Tax And Representation Purposes: Slaves Counted
As Three-fifths of A Person
• Export Tax Compromise –Between Planters And Merchants
• Articles Exported From Any State Should Not Bear Tax
Or Duty
• Imports Could Only Be Taxed By The National
Government
• Voter Qualification Compromise
• Concerned Qualifications For Voting And Holding Office
• Electors In States Should Qualify For Electors Of The
Most Numerous Branch Of The State Legislatures
• Women Could Not Participate In Government

19. THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT
• Elites Benefited More Directly And Immediately Than
Did Nonelites
• Levying Taxes
• Congress Given Power To Tariff
• Regulating Commerce –The Interstate Commerce
Clause & The Provision In Article I, Section 9
• Created Free Trade Area Over The Thirteen
States
• The Arrangement Was Beneficial For American
Merchants.
• Protecting Money And Property
• Congress Gains Control Over Currency And
Credit

20. THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT
• Creating The Military –Two Purposes
• Army and Navy Promote Commercial and
Territorial Ambitions
• Protection From Invasion
• Protecting Against Revolution
• Protect The Government From Revolution By
Providing Military
• Protect Slaveholders From Slave Revolt
• Protecting Slavery
• Congress Outlawed The Import Of Slaves After
1808
• Protect Existing Property And Slaves

21. THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT
• Limiting States In Business Affairs
• Prevents States “Impairing The Obligation Of
Contracts”
• Limiting States In Monetary Affairs
• Provided Protection To Elite
• States Could Not
• Coin Money
• Issue Paper Money
• Make Money Other Than Gold Or Silver Coin
Legal Tender In Payment Of Debt

22. ELITISM AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
• Structure Reflects Desire To Protect Liberty And
Property
• Elite Control Government and Policy Decisions
• National Supremacy – Congressional Control Of
Decisions
• Republicanism – Representative Government
• Separated Powers In The National Government
• Bulwark Against Majoritarianism
• Additional Safeguard For Elite Liberty & Property
• Divides Responsibilities
• Difficult To Hold Government Accountable For
Public Policy

23. RATIFICATION: AN EXERCISE IN ELITE
POLITICAL SKILLS
• Ratification Rules Designed To Give Clear Advantage
To Supporters Of Constitution
• Special Ratifying Conventions Called
• Extraordinary Ratification Procedure
• Minority Of Population Participated In Ratifying The
Constitution
• Emergence Of Anti-federalist Opposition
• Feared A Strong Federal Government’s Control
• Confidence In Ability To Control State Government
• The Bill Of Rights An An Afterthought
• Most Effective Criticism Centered On The Absence
Of Bill Of Rights

24. AMERICAN PERSONA (1)
America has enjoyed a comparable advantage in terms of its
continental location. It has been insulated from major powers
by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and bordered between two
friendly neighbors, Canada and Mexico, who are heavily
dependent on the well-being of its neighbor. Over the course
of the early federalist period of the U.S., realism remained the
prevalent form of political thinking among American
statesmen. The basic underpinnings of the early nation
sensed the apparent dangers of the great European powers
reigning at the time, including an outright acceptance over the
fact that the young republic was in constant danger of attack,
never to escape the crosshairs of foreign politics.

25. AMERICAN PERSONA (2)
Over the course of the early federalist period of the U.S.,
realism remained the prevalent form of political thinking among
American statesmen. The basic underpinnings of the early
nation sensed the apparent dangers of the great European
powers reigning at the time, including an outright acceptance
over the fact that the young republic was in constant danger of
attack, never to escape the crosshairs of foreign politics.
America’s leaders from past to present have maintained a
cosmopolitan belief system. This entails viewing the power
position of the United States from the eyes of foreign powers.
public policy makers for the most part maintain a cosmopolitan
belief system.

26. AMERICAN PERSONA (3)
Embedded within the American persona is a belief that the
U.S. was not solely an experiment in republican government,
but a nation blessed with superior principles and institutions,
which in time would be adopted throughout the world.
American policy makers have maintained an idealist ideology
in order to formulate foreign, as well as domestic policy,
though its foreign policy is based inherently on realist dogma.
U.S. foreign policy is thus utilized as an avenue in which to
promote American ideals, combining practical capacity for
realizing the evils of man, yet continuing to remain devoted to
the idealistic notions of the American success story.

27. AMERICAN PERSONA (4)
America’s political wisdom grew rapidly following its inception as an
independent nation. The country never lost sight of its political
insight, historic perspective and the common sense approach of the
American spirit in relation to its standing among other nations.
Maintaining a quest for simplistic solutions in disregard of
concurrent external forces is a trait of the American persona.
Relations among neighbors in the international system are focused
on an unbridled philanthropy through apparent selfish inward
improvement, as a training method for world improvement.
Accordingly, it is idealism that promotes unbounded philosophical
philanthropy as a selfish desire of American policy. In more extreme
terms, idealism promotes the notion that the U.S., through its
coaching of nation states, serves as the premiere example that if
followed, will produce unbridled prosperity for all.

28. TRANSPARENCY (1)
America has grown from the days of a colony to major power,
superpower, and hegemon, to its present empire status.
American power is felt throughout the international community.
Playing poker requires one to adopt what is commonly known
as a “poker face”. Players will hide their true emotions, even
faking their true intentions to catch other players off guard.
Some have even taken to wearing sunglasses. The exact
opposite tactic that the United States has adopted is
“Transparency”. This involves disclosing all routes the nation-
state will undertake with regards to all forms of public policy
pertaining to its political, economic and military strategies.

29. TRANSPARENCY (2)
Alexander Hamilton initiated this
policy as the chief financial
philosopher of the United States
even if he did not coin the term.
Hamilton is regarded as the chief
architect of our economic policy,
which in turn was developed in
order to win the confidence of
domestic US business and
financial elites as well as gaining
the confidence of international
business.

30. TRANSPARENCY EXAMPLE #1
America possesses the most
technologically advanced
military hardware. This video
demonstrates one of the first
deployable force fields for
light armored vehicles
(LAVs). Welcome to the 21st
Century.

31. TRANSPARENCY EXAMPLE #2
America is not the only
nation that utilizes
Transparency. This video
shows the Israeli Defense
Force demonstrating a new
type of gun that can shoot
around corners. A brief
interview with the inventor
of this amazing weapon
follows the demonstration.

32. TRANSPARENCY EXAMPLE (3)
Some forms of transparency are
both political and military in
nature. The military sponsored
the development of the Massive
Ordinance Aerial Burst (MOAB). It
is commonly referred to as “The
Mother Of All Bombs”. It is the
largest conventional bomb in our
arsenal. There is a psychological
component to this bomb. A
mushroom cloud forms following
successful detonation. It looks
somewhat like a nuclear device
being detonated.

33. TRANSPARENCY EXAMPLE (4)
Javelin is a fire-and-forget
missile with lock-on before
launch and automatic self-
guidance. The system takes a
top-attack flight profile against
armored vehicles (attacking the
top armor which is generally
thinner) but can also take a
direct-attack mode for use
against buildings or fortifications.
This missile also has the ability
to engage helicopters. Javelin is
supplied by Raytheon/Lockheed
Martin's JAVELIN Joint Venture.