Do answers to political questions "exist" and it is up to people to discover them? Or do humans socially construct the answers to those questions?
Select one of the four "big questions" below and compose an essay which investigates the ways philosophers and political scientists have tried to answer each of these questions, using the core learning materials as your main source.
1) What are human rights?
2) What is social justice?
3) What is the purpose of government?
4) Who should rule?
As you consider your response, draw upon these guiding questions and ideas:
What are some of the ways people have defined these terms (human rights, social justice, purpose of government, and government rule)?
What do different people say about whether a right answer to this question exists or humans must or do construct an answer?
What role have international organizations played in trying to answer this question?
What role have governments played in trying to answer this question?
Describe any more specific views on this question (for example, utilitarianism).
Do certain groups have reason to view this question in different ways? Explain.
How have people used answers to this question to promote their own interests?
How have people used answers to this question to promote the common good?
Sample Solution
Human rights are the fundamental human rights and freedoms that each person is entitled to by virtue of being human. These include the right to life, freedom from slavery, torture, arbitrary imprisonment or other cruel treatment, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education and access to fair legal process.