Term Paper on "Philosophy Exam Mosca: We Hear"
Term Paper 5 pages (1333 words) Sources: 0
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Philosophy ExamMosca: We hear so much about equal opportunity, but what, truly, is it? I believe that equal opportunity exists in a system wherein the ruling minority must answer, at least to a certain degree, to the non-ruling classes.
I have written extensively about the ability of minority ruling classes to govern the majority: "In all societies - from societies that are very meagerly developed and have barely attained the dawnings of civilization, down to the most advanced and powerful societies - two classes of people appear - a class that rules and a class that is ruled. The first class, always the less numerous, performs all political functions, monopolizes power, and enjoys the advantages that power brings, whereas the second, the more numerous class, is directed and controlled by the first, in a manner that is now more or less legal, now more or less arbitrary and violent, and supplies the first, in appearance at least, with material means of subsistence and with the instrumentalities that are essential to the vitality of the political organism."
Here, I hint at my views on equal opportunity. The majority, or politically oppressed classes, do indeed succumb to the wishes of the majority, but they do also have the power to overthrow the majority. This means that they - the society at large -- have the equal opportunity to prove unequal talents. Certain rulers are not rulers forever unless they are accorded permission by the ruled classes. Of course, it is very hard for the ruled classes to wrest power from the ruling classes, but a substantial and concerted effort makes it possible, and therein lies equality.
In no societ
download full paper ⤓
Michels: I do not at all agree with Mosca. Equal opportunity is presented not as the equal ability to prove unequal talents, but as the right and ability to organize: "A class which unfurls in the face of society the banner of certain definite claims, and which aspires to be the realization of a complex of ideal aims deriving from the economic functions which that class fulfills, needs an organization. Be the claims economic or be they political, organization appears the only means for the creation of a collective will. Organization, based as it is upon the principle of last effort, that is to say, upon the greatest possible economy of energy, is the weapon of the weak in their struggle with the strong."
My point here is that equality comes through organization. Equality comes through the ability to create a group that can challenge the ruling classes. Unlike Mosca, I do not believe that the same classes exist throughout history. Any group of people who organize have the ability to prove equality.
Barber: Equality is economic equality, and Mosca and Michels are wrong. Organization comes only through the ability of the ruled classes to consume, and attain the socio-economic status of the ruling classes. That is the importance of the American system proliferated throughout the world.
Regardless of the prevalence and the fervent beliefs abroad in different ways of thought and religion, the American consumerism presents a challenge. In effect, American consumerism presents a conflict between the "old" way of dealing with ruling and ruled classes and the realization that consumerism is the force that brings the two groups together.
Consumerism is a force even greater than the ability of the majority to rise up against the ruling minority. Consumerism is the great equalizer, the force that refuses to allow the permanent superiority of one class over another.
Both Michels and Mosca would agree with Kant's statement. Mosca would attest to the fact that the ruling minority does not really care for or want the ruled majority around, but they must have them for materialistic needs. Without the ruled majority, the ruling minority will not have the goods, services and even basic needs necessary… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Philosophy Exam Mosca: We Hear" Assignment:
“I have three questions to answer within this paper, that must be separated within the 8 pages. The paper is about democracy's critics, and needs to be based solely on their opinions of the democratic society. Here are the questions:
(40%) Barber, Wolfe and Mosca were nominated as members of a panel to discuss Samuel's dictum: "Equality of oppurtunity is an equal ability to prove unequal talents" You were requested to record their debate. What did you write?
(30%) For the German philosopher Emanuel Kant, the secret key to democratic politics is that "man seeks to acquire a rank (position) among his fellow men, whom he detests, but without whom he cannot live." Had Robert Michels and Mosca had the oppurtunity to comment on this assertion, what sould they have said?
(30%) Explain the differences and similarities in the criticism launched against democratic theory and capitalistic society by the "old left" of Wolfe and the "new left" of Marcusa.
* I would dedicate about 4 pages to the first question, about another 3 to the second question, and 2 for the last question. No citations needed. I will be faxing the documents needed to write this in about an hour, cause I have to go to Kinko's to fax it. *****
How to Reference "Philosophy Exam Mosca: We Hear" Term Paper in a Bibliography
“Philosophy Exam Mosca: We Hear.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2004, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/philosophy-exam-mosca-hear/417240. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.
Related Term Papers:
Universals in Medieval Philosophy Essay
Universals in medieval philosophy
How do we know something is always, universally true and applicable to every single situation in an unerring and absolute manner? This is one of the… read more
Essay 2 pages (808 words) Sources: 2 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Love We Hear Footsteps by Galway Kinnell Essay
Love We Hear Footsteps by Galway Kinnell
The beauty of a good poem and the technique of a good poet, is the ability to capture a moment in time. A… read more
Essay 4 pages (1422 words) Sources: 1+ Style: MLA Topic: Literature / Poetry
Mind Essay
Philosophy's Practical Value
From the moment we wake up in the morning to that last second before we go to bed, philosophy impacts us. Philosophy can be loosely defined as… read more
Essay 1 pages (315 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Philosophy Essay
Philosophy, it seemed, was one of those disciplines that involved professors in tweed coats and thick glasses, playing chess and smoking their pipe, arguing over things that were so esoteric… read more
Essay 2 pages (695 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Philosophy of Education Create an Outline Communicating Essay
Philosophy of Education
Create an outline communicating your educational philosophy using the following guidelines. Consider the historical development as it impacts educational philosophy.
The modern classroom is nothing like the… read more
Essay 3 pages (870 words) Sources: 4 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Sat, Oct 5, 2024
If you don't see the paper you need, we will write it for you!
We can write a new, 100% unique paper!