University of the Philippines

College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

SOCIAL SCIENCE II*

Social, Economic and Political Thought
Second Semester, 2010-2011

Mr Jan Robert R. Go Office Hours: 01:00-4:00pm, T-Th

Teaching Associate janrobert.go@gmail.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A survey of social, economic, and political thought from classical to
contemporary times.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES
This course has two general learning objectives: (1) to carefully describe the main themes of
selected social, economic, and political thinkers of various periods of western civilization, and (2) to
clearly demonstrate the continuity and discontinuity in their “great conversation”.
Ancient Greek political theory is the fountainhead of social, economic, and political thought
of the West. The issues it raised, and the concepts it developed in addressing those issues, have
largely determined the main directions of Western economic, social, and political thought.
This is more evident in social and political thought than in economic thought. Joseph A.
Schumpeter says that economic analysis was “a very minor element” of classical and medieval
thought. Systematic theorizing on economic problems started towards the end of the 17th century.
Hence, this survey will initially concentrate in social and political thought. The economic ideas of
classical and medieval thinkers, however, will also be noted.
In order to clearly identify the emphasis of the course, five themes will be pursued for all of
the selected thinkers. These are: (1) the blending of politics and ethics, (2) human nature and the
purpose of political associations, (3) organizing or constituting political associations, (4) why and
how political associations change, and (5) issues in economic thought – value, price, production,
distribution, nature of market, and relationship between the state and market. Pursuing these themes
through the selected thinkers would reveal the “great conversation” among the different traditions
of political, economic and social thought.

READING LIST

REQUIRED READINGS
Curtis, Michael. 1981. The Great Political Theories, Volume I and II. New York: Avon Books.
Social Science II Committee. 1992. Readings in Social Science II. Quezon City: University of the
Philippines Press.

OPTIONAL READINGS
Ebenstein, W. and Ebenstein, A. 2000. Great Political Thinkers: Plato to the Present. Singapore:
Thomson.
Gaarder, Jostein. 2001. Sophie’s World. London: Phoenix House.

* Copied from the Social Science II syllabus of Professor Malaya C. Ronas.

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Ronas, Malaya C. 1998. Angkan ni Socrates: Gabay sa Panimulang Talakayan sa Kaisipang Kanluran Hinggil
sa Lipunan. Ekonomiya, at Politika. Lungsod Quezon: UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Student performance will be evaluated on the basis of three examinations, participation in-
group and plenary discussions, and class attendance.
The examinations will focus on the concepts and conceptual systems of selected thinkers,
and the similarities and differences among these concepts and conceptual systems. Each of the
three examinations has a weight of 25% of the final grade.
Active participation in the class activities, such as oral report or group discussion, has a
weight of 20% of the final grade.
Class attendance has a weight of 5% of the final grade.

SCHEDULE, TOPICS AND CLASS ACTIVITIES

SCHEDULE/SECTION
TOPIC READINGS/CLASS ACTIVITY
OBJECTIVES
November 9, 2010 General Education and Lecture-discussion, CRS
Specialist Education, assigned room
Overview of Social Science II
Nov 11
To define critical thinking. Greek Legacy to Critical Lecture of Professor Felipe B.
To discuss the contributions of Thinking Miranda (DVD), PH 207
classical Greek civilization to
critical thinking.

Nov 16 Continuation Group discussion, CRS

assigned room

Nov 18 Plato (c. 428-348 B.C.)

To explain how the nature of
human beings affects the nature
of the polis.
To discuss the Plato’s ideal polis.
Life of Plato
1. Family and educational The Republic (DVD),
background Discovery Channel, PH 207
2. Pre-Socratic and Socratic
influences
3. Plato’s political thought Michael Curtis (ed.), Great
a. Conventional view of Political Theories Volume I
justice questioned (New York: Avon Books,
b. Theory of justice 1981) pp. 26-28, 34-64.
c. Origin of the polis Readings in Social Science II
d. Justice in the individual (Quezon City: University of the
and the polis Philippines, 1995), pp. 1-27.
e. The just polis
f. Existing polis compared
with the just polis
The purpose of existing
polis
The purpose of the just

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Nov 23
Nov 25
To explain how the nature of
human beings affects the nature
of the polis.
To discuss Aristotle’s ideal and
practicable polis.
polis
4. Economic ideas of Plato
Division of labor
Common ownership of
property among guardians
Continuation Group discussion, CRS
assigned room
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) Lecture-discussion, PH 207
1. Brief biography
Family background Reading assignments
Education in Plato’s Curtis, pp. 28-30, 64-101.
Academy Readings in Social Science II,
Academic work in the pp. 28-53.
Lyceum
2. Political thought of Aristotle
a. Natural kinds of rule in the
polis
Rule of the father over his
family
Rule of parents over
children
Rule of master over slave
b. Criticism of ideal polis and
existing polis
Criticism of Plato, Phaleas,
and Hippodamus
Criticism of Sparta, Crete,
and Carthage
c. On citizenship, kinds of
constitutions, and
distributive justice
1. Concept of citizenship
and comparison
between good citizen
and good person
2. Kinds of constitution
3. Who should rule?
d. The best practicable way
of governing the polis and
a guide to law-making
1. Doctrine of the mean
applied to practical
governance
2. Principles for law-
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Nov 30
To give an overview of the main
themes of Medieval Political
Thought
December 2
To explain how sin affects the
nature of the state (polis).
To discuss love of God and love b. Conversion to Christianity
of self: Heavenly city and Earthly c. The fall of Rome and
city.
Dec 7
To explain the Scholastic view
on the nature of human beings
and the state (polis).
making
3. The best polis
2. Economic ideas of
Aristotle
1. Management of the
family
2. Natural and unnatural
exchange
3. Private property and
commonly owned
property
Medieval Political Thought Lecture of Professor Lydia
Casambre (DVD), PH 207
St. Augustine (354-430 A.D.) Lecture-discussion, PH 207
1. Brief biography
a. Family background Reading assignments
Curtis, pp. 141-43, 146-156.
Readings in Social Science II,
theological discourses pp. 58-68.
2. Political thought of St.
Augustine
a. Origin of the state
b. Two visible cities
c. Two invisible cities
d. “Justice reigns in the city
where Christ rules”
3. Economic ideas of early
Christian leaders
a. Teachings of the Apostles
b. Discourses on wealth and
property
St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture-discussion, PH 207
(1225-1274)
1. Life and times of St. Reading assignments
Thomas Aquinas Curtis, pp. 177-78. 196-210.
a. Early education Readings in Social Science II,
b. Theological studies, pp. 86-95.
rediscovery of Aristotle
c. Teaching career in the
University of Paris
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To discuss the relationship
between the church and the
state.
To discuss the different kinds of
law.
Dec 9
To compare the classical and
medieval views on the nature of
human beings and the state.
Dec 14
January 4, 2011
To discuss the political thought
of Machiavelli in The Prince and
Discourses.
Jan 6
Continuation of the discussion
of Machiavelli
Jan 11
d. Scholasticism: blending of
faith and reason
2. Political thought of St.
Thomas Aquinas
a. The inadequacy of the
state
b. The state is natural
c. The state has divine nature
d. Two spheres theory: the
church over the state
1. Individual and the
state
2. Four kinds of law
3. Limited sovereignty
3. Economic ideas of St.
Thomas Aquinas
a. Private property is not
against natural law
b. Trading is legitimate
c. Just price
d. Usury is a sin
Integration Group discussion, CRS
assigned room
First examination, CRS
assigned room
Lecture of Professor Francisco
Nemenzo (DVD), PH 207
Niccolo Machiavelli Lecture-discussion, PH 207
(1469-1527)
1. Brief biography Reading assignments
a. What was reborn in the Curtis, pp. 215-17, 219-29.
Renaissance? Readings in Social Science II,
b. Domestic and foreign pp. 86-
rivalries 95.
c. Second secretary of the
chancery
d. Foreign missions to
France and Vatican
2. Political thought of Group discussion, CRS
Machiavelli assigned room
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Jan 13
To describe the Scientific
Revolution
Jan 18
To present an overview of the
social contract theories
Jan 20
To describe the nature of human
beings in the “state of nature”.
To discuss the social contract
between the ruler(s) and the
ruled.
To discuss how social contract
had shaped the nature of civil
society.
Jan 25
To describe the nature of human
beings in the state of nature.
a. Break between politics and
ethics
b. Establishment of a “new
order” and its preservation
c. The ecclesiastical
principality
d. Nationalism and liberation
3. Machiavelli’s place in the
history of political thought
Galileo”s Dialogo (DVD)
Discovery Channel, PH 207
Lecture of Professor Carolina
G. Herandez (DVD), PH 207
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Lecture –discussion, PH 207
1. Brief biography
a. Educational background Reading assignments
b. Tutor in the household of Curtis, pp. 354-370.
the Earl of Devonshire Readings in Social Science II,
c. Civil war: Crown versus pp. 96-109.
Parliament
d. Political sanctuary in
France
2. Social contract theory of
Thomas Hobbes
a. Human passions
determine good and evil
b. Human passions lead to
enmity and distrust
c. The extreme insecurity in
the state of nature
prevented a socially
ordered life
d. The “mutuality of
protection and obligation”
in civil society
e. The state is superior to the
church
John Locke (1632-1704) Lecture-discussion, PH 207
1. Brief biography
a. Family background Reading assignments
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To explain how the social
contract had shaped the nature
of civil society
Jan 27
To describe the nature of human
beings in the state of nature.
To discuss the injustice of the
social contract that aims to
protect property.
To discuss the concept of a just
social contract.
b. Education and academic Curtis, pp. 359-60, 372-89.
career in Oxford Readings in Social Science II,
University pp. 109-26.
c. Career in politics
d. Glorious revolution of
1688
2. Social contract theory of
John Locke
a. Divine rights of king
questioned
b. “True original extent, and
end of civil government”
c. State of nature
1. Origin of property
2. Origin and end of
civil society
3. Limited government
4. Right to resist
3. Locke’s economic thought
a. Theory of property
b. Labor theory of value
c. Money
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Lecture-discussion, PH 207
(1712-1778)
1. Brief biography Reading assignments
a. Family background Curtis, Volume 2, pp. 15-17,
b. Adventurous life: from 18-34
Geneva to Savoy to Paris Readings in Social Science II,
c. A niche in the literary and pp. 127-45.
philosophical circles of
Paris and the world
2. Social contract theory of
Rousseau
a. Passions of self-
preservation and fellow
feeling of the primitive
person
b. Origin of civil society
c. Social contract for a just
civil society
d. The legislator and
establishment of a just civil
society
e. Sovereign and government
f. How the government
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February 1
To synthesize the realist views of
human nature and their effect on
politics
Compare the social contract
theories of Hobbes, Locke and
Rousseau.
Feb 3
Feb 10
Feb 15
To explain how the nature of
human beings shape society’s
economic structure (laissez faire)
To discuss Smith’s views on
value, production, distribution,
and economic growth.
should be constituted
Integration Group Discussion, CRS
assigned room,
Second examination, CRS
assigned room
Liberal Political Economy Lecture of Professor
Emmanuel de Dios (DVD),
PH 207
Adam Smith (1723-1790) Lecture-discussion, PH 207
1. Brief biography
a. Family background Reading assignments
b. Education and academic Curtis, Volume 2, pp. 105-17.
career Readings in Social Science II,
c. Tutor in the household of pp. 145-50.
the Duke of Buccleuch
2. Smith’s theory of morality
a. The question of virtue is
intimately linked with
sentiment.
b. Sympathy and imagination
makea person a social
being.
c. Private interest for
common benefit
3. Laissez faire: “The obvious
and simple system of
natural liberty”
a. Aim of society – “to better
the condition of man” –
best served through its
opulence
b. Division of labor and
productivity
c. Theory of value
d. Analysis of distribution
e. Theory of capital
accumulation
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Feb 17
To discuss Ricardo’s
contributions to the theory of
value and theory of comparative
advantage.
Feb 22
To discuss his theory of liberty
To discuss his revision of
utilitarianism
To discuss his revisions of
classical political economy.
Feb 24
To explain social change from
David Ricardo (1772-1823) Lecture-discussion, PH 207
1. Brief biography
a. Family background Reading assignment
b. Public debates over the Readings in Social Science II,
currency issue and corn pp. 151-55.
law
c. Influence of Adam Smith
and James Mill
2. Contributions to classical
political economy
a. Theory of rent
b. Reformulation of theory of
value
c. “Laws of distribution”
d. Law of comparative
advantage
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) Lecture-discussion, PH 207
1. Brief biography
a. Unorthodox education Reading assignments
b. Intellectual influences Curtis, Volume II, pp. 105-8,
2. Social and political 125-29.
thought Readings in Social Science II,
a. Revision of utilitarianism pp. 155-59, 160-77.
b. Education is the
responsibility of the
government
c. Progress: from barbarism
to civilization
d. Modern representative
government
e. Liberty: precondition for
modern society
f. Revision of classical
political economy
1. Revision of theory of
value
2. Modification of law of
distribution
3. Acceptance of
stationary state
4. State intervention
Marxism Through Time
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the perspective of dialectical-
historical materialism. Karl Marx (1818-1883) Lecture of Professor Francisco
1. Brief biography Nemenzo (DVD), PH 207
To discuss the contemporary a. Family background
relevance of Marxism. b. Education
c. Expulsion from Prussia
and exile
2. Dialectical historical
materialism
3. Class struggle and social
change
4. Critique of liberal political
economy
5. Vision of perfect society

March 1 Continuation Group discussion, CRS

assigned room

Reading assignment
Curtis, Volume 2, pp 155-80.

Mar 3
To discuss Positivism and Social The Rise of Positivism and the Lecture of Professor Cynthia
Constructivism as philosophy of Seeds of Social Constructivism Rose Banzon-Bautista
social science (DVD),PH 207

Mar 8 Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) Lecture-discussion, PH 207

To explain the implication of
social solidarity on the nature of
society.
1. Brief biography
2. Division of labor in society Reading assignment
a. Two kind of solidarity Readings in Social Science II,
b. Two kinds of societies pp. 219-31.
c. Collective consciousness
and society
d. Social differentiation and
division of labor
e. Origin of social
differentiation

To discuss Weber’s views on Max Weber (1864- Reading assignment

economics and politics. 1920) Readings in Social Science II,
1. Brief biography pp. 207-19.
To explain his theory of social 2. Sociology of religion
science. 3. Political sociology
4. Theory of social science

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Mar 10
To compare modern and Current Debates in the Social Lecture of Professor Randolph
postmodern views on human Sciences S. David (DVD), PH 207
nature and nature of society.

Mar 15
To synthesize the recent views Integration Group discussion, CRS
regarding the relationship assigned room,
between the state and market.

To compare recent views about

society and politics
Mar 17 Third examination, CRS
assigned room

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