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MLA
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Social Sciences
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English (U.S.)
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Topic:

New Science and the Possibility of Progress

Essay Instructions:

How long do the essays need to be?
-Three to five paragraphs for each essay should do it. You don’t need to add a Works Cited page or include footnotes or have direct quotes from the readings—just write your answers to the questions. Imagine that this was an in-class final exam and you were writing in a bluebook. You want to write responses that thoroughly address the questions but you don’t need to be exhaustive.
Q:
1. A belief in the possibility of progress—a belief that human beings, through their own actions, are capable of changing their societies for the better—is a distinctive element of modern Western consciousness. Although people in the West came to share a belief that progress is possible, visions of what progress looks like—of how society *should* be organized to enhance individual or collective well-being—have varied widely. In a well-crafted essay, describe the vision of progress that one finds in Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, Maximilien Robespierre’s speech on political morality, and Heinrich von Treitschke’s lectures on politics. From a reading of their respective works, what ideals informed each man’s vision of human society? What obstacles or threats to progress did each man identify, and what actions did he advocate to bring about progress?
2. Inspired by the “new science” of the 17th century, men and women in the 18th and 19th centuries undertook to discover the “natural” laws and principles that governed features of human societies. What have been the implications for claiming that certain elements of the social, political, or economic order are “natural” and can be validated by science? In answering this question, discuss two examples, drawing on material from our course’s lectures and readings, in which historical actors advanced arguments in the name of science that either challenged the existing order or constructed and legitimated inequality.

Essay Sample Content Preview:
Question 1
Maximilien Robespierre advocated for democracy as the ideal that informed his vision of nationalism and prosperity. Democracy according to him is a state in which the sovereign people, guided by laws which are of their own making, do for themselves all that they can do well, and by their delegates do all that they cannot do for themselves. The principles of democracy govern a revolutionary nation that promotes unity. Robespierre identifies several obstacles to unity and democracy, including the existence of tyrants and greedy men who have their own goals conspiring against peace. He proposes the development of virtue and the promotion of equality as the road to political progress. He also advocates for love for your country and practising moral and political truth. You should always champion for justice and devote yourself to the cause of the people who elected you. Vision for human society is clear as day and is recommendable.
Heinrich von Treitschke is a proponent aristocracy where the state is a monarchy that holds all the power. Is view is of a country that does not ask for opinion but demands obedience and forces the people to obey the law set aside. His vision was unification at all costs, including the use of the military. Treitschke views religion as the obstacle hindering nationalism and equates going against the state to sinning against the Holy Ghost. He points the finger at Christians for having destroyed the ancient conception of the country. What is interesting is his view on the unifying factor that would bring progress. Out of all the options available, the war was his option to get a mutual understanding. Treitschke views war as the only way to separate the heroes from the materialistic and fostering respect among the people and nations. He is a firm believer in force; that is why he feels unification can only come with power over subjects. It can be attributed to his background, having been born in a military family.
Adam smith encouraged the division of labor in a 'well-governed society' as a way to bring people of different occupations together. He speaks of other products whose contributors come from all over and have different talents. Adam smith's 'Wealthy Nation' is more than just an economic work and makes him the father of the political economy. For Smith...
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