1. Nov 20: The justification of political authority Natural Law (Pufendorf), Social Contract (Hobbes), Natural Rights (Locke) Nov 27: The role of government Liberalism (Rawls), Libertarianism (Nozick), Communitarianism (Sandel) Nov 29: Individual Liberty and the Limits of Governmental Interference: Mill, Feinberg Political Philosophy: the study of the nature and justification of political institutions

2. Human beings are naturally sociable and are obligated through God-given laws of nature to do what is necessary to survive We form and must respect civil governments as means to achieve our natural (and rational) ends Natural Law: Samuel Pufendorf (1632-94)

3. Social Contract Theory: Thomas Hobbes Fear of others in the state of nature (apart from society) prompts people to enter into a social contract Governmental authority is based on the choice of individuals to give up their rights and keep their promise to abide by the social contract in order to achieve peace (1588-1679)

4. We have God-given rights to our life, liberty, and property (gained through labor) We establish governments to clarify and protect our freedom and natural rights (especially the ownership of property) State authority is based on the explicit or tacit consent of the majority of a people Natural Rights: John Locke (1632-1704)