Unit III

Assignments:

1.Read and translate the text.

Political Theory

Political Theory, subdivision of political science, traditionally concerned with the body of ideas expressed by political philosophers. Political theory largely addresses the nature and justification of political obligation and authority and the goals of political action.

The State. Throughout history a central concern of political theorists has been the notion of the state. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato presented a theory of the state in his discourse The Republic, which attempted to reconcile moral theory and political practice. Plato presented an idea of a community where property would be owned in common and an aristocracy of philosopher-kings would rule. His doctrines have been distorted to assert the supremacy of the state over the individual.

Fourth-century BC Greek philosopher Aristotle is generally regarded as the founder of the scientific approach to political theory. His Politics combined an empirical investigation of facts and a critical inquiry into their ideal possibilities.

Church and State. In the Middle Ages (5th century to 15th century AD) political writing dealt largely with the struggle for supremacy between the Roman Catholic church and the Holy Roman Empire. Italian philosopher Saint Thomas Aquinas defended the role of the church in his Summa Theologica (1265-1273), while Italian poet Dante Alighieri argued in his 14th-century treatise, On Monarchy, for a united Christendom under emperor and pope. In The Prince (1532), Italian statesman Niccolo Machiavelli transcended the traditional church-state debate by evaluating the problems and possibilities of governments seeking to maintain power.

The Social Contract In his work Leviathan (1651), English philosopher Thomas Hobbes argued that the sovereign's power should be unlimited, because the state originated in a so-called social contract, whereby individuals accept a common superior power to provide protection and make possible the satisfaction of certain human desires. English philosopher John Locke argued in the 17th century that sovereignty resided in the people, and that governments could be legitimately overthrown if they failed to meet their obligations to the people. Marxism and Other Forms of Totalitarianism German philosopher Karl Marx argued that the abolition of property, and therefore of class exploitation, would enable individuals to contribute according to their abilities and take according to their needs. The state, according to Marx, would eventually disappear. In the 20th century Marxism was subject to conflicting interpretations. It served as the official ideology of several totalitarian states and inspired many revolutionary and nationalist movements.

2. Study the following phrases. Recall the sentences in which they are used in the text. Use them when retelling the unit.

a) to concern [kqn'sE:n] (стосуватися, торкатися, мати відношення) = 1.To have to do with or relate to: an article that concerns the plight of homeless people. 2.To be of interest or importance to: This problem concerns all of us. 3.To engage the attention of; involve: We concerned ourselves with accomplishing the task at hand. 4.To cause anxiety or uneasiness in: The firm's weak financial posture is starting to concern its stockholders.

b) justification ["dZAstIfI'keIS(q)n] (виправдання, правомірність, підтвердження) a. A formal defense; vindication. b. An explanation or excuse:"The consequence of those measures will be the best apology for my conduct" (Daniel Defoe).

с) goal [gqVl] (ціль, мета) = The purpose toward which an endeavor [In'devq] is directed; an objective [qb'dZektIv], aim, target.

d) concern (відношення, інтерес, турбота)= 1.A matter that relates to or affects one. See synonyms at affair. 2.Regard for or interest in someone or something. 3.A troubled or anxious state of mind arising from solicitude (дбайливість) or interest.

e) notion ['nqVS(q)n] (поняття) = 1. A belief or opinion. 2. A mental image or representation; an idea or conception.

f) discourse ['dIskO:s] (лекція, трактат) = 1.Verbal expression in speech or writing. 2.Verbal exchange; conversation. 3.A formal, lengthy discussion of a subject, either written or spoken. 4.Archaic. The process or power of reasoning.

g) to attempt [q'tempt] (намагатися;робити спробу) a. To make an effort; endeavor: I attempted to read the entire novel at one sitting. b. To try to perform, make, or achieve: We attempted the difficult maneuver without assistance.

h) to reconcile ['rekqnsaIl] (примиряти; узгоджувати). 1.To reestablish a close relationship between. 2.To settle or resolve. 3.To bring (oneself) to accept: He finally reconciled himself to thе change in management. 4.To make compatible or consistent: reconcile my way of thinking with yours.

i) property ['prPpqtI] (власність) = a. Something owned; a possession. b. A piece of real estate: my country property. c. Possessions considered as a group.

Usage Note ! Property, any object or right that can be owned. Ownership involves possession. Ownership in modern societies implies the right to use and dispose of property and it implies governmental protection of such rights. Property is usually obtained by purchase, inheritance, or gift. Ownership may be public or private. Public ownership is by the government. Private ownership is by an individual, a group of individuals, a corporation, or some other form of organization. Property is categorized in two types: real and personal. Real property is the land and anything firmly attached to it, such as buildings and the minerals beneath the surface. Personal property can be divided into tangible ['txndZqb(q)l] (відчутний, матеріальний, дотиковий) and intangible property. Tangible property exists physically. Intangible personal property has no physical existence but can be legally owned; an example is patent rights.The concept of private property has been challenged by political philosophies such as communism and socialism. According to Communist doctrine, real property and most personal property should be publicly owned–that is, the state should own the means of industrial production and all wealth-generating personal property. Socialist societies do not generally hold that all property must be owned by the state.

j) supremacy [sjH'premqsI] (верховенство) = 1.The quality or condition of being supreme. 2.Supreme power or authority.

k) to transcend [trxn'send] (виходити за межі)= 1.To pass beyond the limits of: emotions that transcend understanding. 2.To be greater than, as in intensity or power; surpass; excel: love that transcends infatuation (захоплення).

l) to reside in smth/smb [rI'zaId] (перебувати, бути властивим,належати, знаходитись) = 1.To live in a place permanently or for an extended period. 2. To be inherently present; exist: the potential energy that resides in flowing water.

m) abolition ["xbq'lIS(q)n] (скасування) = 1. The act of doing away with or the state of being done away with; annulment. 2. Abolishment of slavery.

n) to contribute [kqn'trIbju:t] (сприяти, робити внесок) = 1. To give or supply in common with others; give to a common fund or for a common purpose. 2. To help bring about a result; act as a factor: Exercise contributes to better health. 3.To make a contribution: contributes to several charities.

o) to inspire [In'spaIq] (надихати) = 1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence. 2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: hymns that inspire the congregation; an artist who was inspired by Impressionism. 3. a. To stimulate to action; motivate: a sales force that was inspired by the prospect of a bonus. b. To affect or touch: The falling leaves inspired her with sadness.4. To draw forth; elicit or arouse: a teacher who inspired admiration and respect. 5. To be the cause or source of; bring about: an invention that inspired many imitations. 6. To draw in (air) by inhaling. 7. Archaic. a. To breathe on. b. To breathe life into.

p) to assert [q'sE:t] (заявляти, стверджувати) = 1.To state or express positively; affirm: asserted his innocence. 2.To defend or maintain (one's rights, for example). 3.To put (oneself) forward boldly or forcefully in an effort to make an opinion known, for example: I had to assert myself in the meeting in order to ensure acquisition of the new book.

Synonyms: asseverate (свідчити категорично), declare (оголошувати), affirm (підтверджувати), aver (твердити), avow(відверто визнавати і виправдовувати). These verbs all mean to make a positive statement. To assert is to state one's opinion confidently but often without proof to support it: "I have endeavored to assert nothing but what I had good authority for" (William Sewel). Asseverate connotes sober (стриманий, розсудливий, тверезий) sincerity of assertion: "The taxpayer also asseverates that his return from Greece proves conclusively that his intentions were and are honorable" (Daily Report for Executives). Declare has the approximate force of assert but may suggest formality of statement and authority in the speaker: Congress declared that it would reduce the budget deficit. Affirm and aver stress the speaker's confidence in the validity of the statement: Scientists cannot affirm the existence of life on other planets. She averred that solitude was necessary for creative work. Avow implies frank and open acknowledgment or admission: "thinks the book succeeds in achieving its avowed purpose: to explain how the Court's current role evolved through history" (Tony Mauro).

q) whereby [weq'baI] (за допомогою чого; у відповідності до чого) = In accordance with which; by or through which.