An introduction to Part I of the course and to some of the fundamental problems in legal and political philosophy.
Unit 2: Happiness and Welfare
Why should we have a State? This unit examines answers that focus on the role for legal and political institutions in promoting happiness, peace, stability, and human flourishing.
Unit 3: Justice
Why should we have a State? This unit examines answers that focus on the State’s role in bringing about justice, introducing and analyzing four different views of justice.
Unit 4: Equality
Why should we have a State? This unit examines answers that focus on the importance of equality. It introduces and analyzes views of equality as a constraint, and views of equality as a societal or political objective.
Unit 5: Freedom
Why should we have a State? This unit examines answers that focus on the importance of freedom, including discussion of the way in which the State can be a threat to freedom, and the way in which the State can promote or protect our freedom.