PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Political Philosophy and Justice

Question 1

John Rawls's theory of justice as fairness yields two principles of justice, the first of which guarantees:

Accepted Answer

Equal basic liberties for all citizens

Answer

Equal distribution of all primary goods

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Maximization of aggregate welfare

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Priority of economic efficiency over equality

Question 2

Robert Nozick's libertarian theory in Anarchy, State, and Utopia argues that a just state is limited to:

Accepted Answer

Protecting individual rights against force and fraud (a minimal state)

Answer

Redistributing wealth to correct historical injustices

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Maximizing overall welfare through economic planning

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Guaranteeing equal opportunity for all citizens

Question 3

The social contract tradition in political philosophy attempts to justify political authority through:

Accepted Answer

A hypothetical or actual agreement among individuals

Answer

Divine right of rulers

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Traditional customs and inherited obligations

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The natural superiority of rulers

Question 4

Thomas Hobbes described life in the state of nature—without government—as:

Accepted Answer

'Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short'

Answer

Peaceful and cooperative

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Governed by natural law and reason

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Organized around property rights

Question 5

John Locke's political philosophy holds that individuals possess natural rights to:

Accepted Answer

Life, liberty, and property

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Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

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Equality, fraternity, and liberty

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Security, welfare, and education

Question 6

Communitarianism, associated with Michael Sandel and Charles Taylor, criticizes liberalism for:

Accepted Answer

Neglecting the role of community and shared values in forming identity and justice

Answer

Granting too few rights to individuals

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Ignoring economic inequality

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Overemphasizing collective rights at the expense of liberty