June 3, 200917 yr When it comes down to what you believe, how you vote and how you view issues in this world what are the most influential things in your life? What made you who you are politically and ideologically?
June 3, 200917 yr Author Mine comes from a number of different angles. The works of Machiavelli, Hobbes and Locke are definitely imprinted on my political psyche. Machiavelli more so than any other. Additionally my study of history throughout most of my life has helped to bring to light the my view of humanity and its unfortunate consistency in its behavior as a whole. The combination of the two is one of the reasons why I try to think in an amoral fashion where politics are concerned. I cannot always separate my emotional and moral judgments, lapses I wish I could remedy but as I am always human I am never perfect. How about you all?
June 3, 200917 yr Why Hobbes, out of curiosity? I'm not sure if there is a way to pinpoint what influenced me the most. I'm certain the pragmatism of my father weighs heavily on me. I also know all the jobs I've worked, my education (whether formal or self-effected), and the people and circumstances I've been surrounded by have also played an important part.
June 3, 200917 yr Author Why Hobbes, out of curiosity? I'm not sure if there is a way to pinpoint what influenced me the most. I'm certain the pragmatism of my father weighs heavily on me. I also know all the jobs I've worked, my education (whether formal or self-effected), and the people and circumstances I've been surrounded by have also played an important part. Well Calvin listened to him didn't he? :jump: Largely just the "state of nature" concept and how it applies to human nature outside of the social contract. Humanity, deep down, operates at that level adhering to "the social contract" when it is in its best interests to survive. This however, in my opinion, only is effective and only governs peoples under the same contract or those similar enough to be compatible. When nations of dissimilar contracts interact they are doing so in a state of nature and as such those interactions are generally going to be more chaotic with a higher likelihood of violence occurring. I do not look at this as good or bad, simply the nature of things. I too, however, tend to lean towards pragmatism as opposed to idealism. Idealism is problematic as it elicits worldviews that are incompatible with human nature and are thus wasteful.
June 3, 200917 yr Well Calvin listened to him didn't he? :jump:[/Quote] :lol: Largely just the "state of nature" concept and how it applies to human nature outside of the social contract. Humanity, deep down, operates at that level adhering to "the social contract" when it is in its best interests to survive. This however, in my opinion, only is effective and only governs peoples under the same contract or those similar enough to be compatible. When nations of dissimilar contracts interact they are doing so in a state of nature and as such those interactions are generally going to be more chaotic with a higher likelihood of violence occurring. I do not look at this as good or bad, simply the nature of things. I too, however, tend to lean towards pragmatism as opposed to idealism. Idealism is problematic as it elicits worldviews that are incompatible with human nature and are thus wasteful. So Hobbes influences your view of foreign policy, if I understand you correctly? You seem a dead ringer for Machiavelli and, well, Locke makes sense.
June 3, 200917 yr My father, my religion (oh no, I said it!), and Ron Paul. Also my minimal education in economics.
June 3, 200917 yr Marx, Stalin, The Nazi Propoganda Machine (Mein Kampf, most influentially)...to name a few....
June 3, 200917 yr Marx, Stalin, The Nazi Propoganda Machine (Mein Kampf, most influentially)...to name a few....:lol: :lol: :lol:
June 3, 200917 yr My parents, my chosen career work, my faith, my children, and, interestingly, my first summer job.
June 3, 200917 yr Author :lol: So Hobbes influences your view of foreign policy, if I understand you correctly? You seem a dead ringer for Machiavelli and, well, Locke makes sense. That would be the correct assumption, Hobbes isn't solely influencing my foreign policy but his thoughts are very important in that regard. Also his concept of humanity outside the bounds of a social contract of some sort is very much in line of my own philosophy of human nature.
June 3, 200917 yr A lizard came to me in my sleep one night and told me the ways of the world. I would have to say that's my biggest influence.
June 3, 200917 yr When it comes down to what you believe, how you vote and how you view issues in this world what are the most influential things in your life? What made you who you are politically and ideologically? Intelligence and real life experience.
June 3, 200917 yr A lizard came to me in my sleep one night and told me the ways of the world. I would have to say that's my biggest influence. A gecko or a geico?
June 3, 200917 yr Intelligence and real life experience. Ditto:D The biggest influence on my voting patterns and political viewpoints over the past several years probably stems from being a business owner who faces the challenges of operating a business day to day (meeting payroll, dealing with clients, dealing with regs, managing employees, etc), raising a family, and finally coming to terms with the corruption that is so ingrained in our present political system. Before I entered the real world, I probably would have cited the views of various philosophers studied while in college as a shaper of my worldly views. That, however, has long ceased being a factor.
June 3, 200917 yr Marx, Stalin, The Nazi Propoganda Machine (Mein Kampf, most influentially)...to name a few.... Don't forget Nietzsche. You seem like a Nietzsche kinda gal.:D
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