Suggested Answers to End-of-Chapter Discussion Questions
Some of the questions have no single “correct” answer – reasonable people can go off in different directions. In such cases, the answers provided here sketch only a few possibilities.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
1. a. Putin’s statement is consistent with an organic conception of government. Individuals and their goals are less important than the state.
b. Locke makes a clear statement of the mechanistic view of the state in which individual liberty is of paramount importance.
2. Libertarians believe in a very limited government and are skeptical about the ability of government to improve social welfare. Social democrats believe that substantial government intervention is required for the good of individuals. Someone with an organic conception of the state believes that the goals of society are set by the state and individuals are valued only by their contribution to the realization of social goals.
a. A law prohibiting gambling would probably be opposed by a libertarian and advocated by a social democrat. Someone with an organic conception of the state would first decide whether gambling would help to achieve the state’s goals before taking a position on this issue. If the view is that gambling keeps individuals from being productive, then someone with an organic view would probably be in favor of prohibiting it, but if gambling is considered a good way to raise more revenue for the state, then they might oppose the prohibition.
b. Libertarians oppose the law mandating seat belt use, arguing that individuals can best decide whether or not to use seat belts without government coercion. Social democrats take the position that the mandate saves lives and ultimately benefits individuals. The organic view would probably lead to favoring the mandate on the grounds that reduced health care costs caused by fewer accidents benefit society.
c. Libertarians oppose the law mandating child safety seats, arguing that individuals can best decide whether or not to use child safety seats without government coercion. Social democrats take the position that the mandate saves lives and ultimately benefits individuals. The organic view would probably lead to favoring the mandate on the grounds that reduced health care costs caused by fewer accidents benefit society.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
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d. Libertarians would probably oppose a law prohibiting prostitution, while socialdemocrats would likely favor such a law. The organic view depends on the type of society policymakers are attempting to achieve. The law would probably befavored on moral grounds.
e. Libertarians would probably oppose a law prohibiting polygamy, while social democrats would likely favor such a law. The organic view depends on the type of society policymakers are attempting to achieve. The law would probably be favored on moral grounds.
f. Libertarians would likely oppose the law, believing that individual business owners should make the decision about which language is used for their signs. Social democrats would also probably oppose the law in order to foster a more inclusive society. Those with an organic view would probably favor the law if they hold the view that every member of the society should speak the native language.
3. The mechanistic view of government says that the government is a contrivance created by individuals to better achieve their individual goals. Within the mechanistic tradition, people could disagree on the obesity tax. Libertarians would say that people can decide what is best for themselves - whether to consume high calorie food - and do not need prodding from the government. In contrast, social democrats might argue that people are short sighted to know what is good for them, so that government-provided inducements are appropriate.
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