The Enlightenment also saw the development of optimism in regards to the abilities of humans to solve their own problems with their government and societies. People of the time were searching for a rational approach to creating a better society for themselves due to the political and economic changes that were occurring at a rapid rate across Europe. ... Locke saw humans as good, rational, social, cooperative, and tolerant. ... He became famous for his wit and satire, attacks against the Catholic Church, desire for a reformed monarchy, advocation for freedom of religion and expression, as well...

• Word Count: 1343
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

He further stated that realism, believing as it does in the objectivity of the laws of politics, must also believe in the possibility of developing a rational theory that reflects, however imperfectly and one-sidedly, these objective laws. ... To give meaning to the factual raw material of foreign policy, one must approach political reality with a kind of rational outline, a map that suggests the possible meanings of foreign policy. In other words, one put himself in the position of a statesman who must meet a certain problem of foreign policy under certain circumstances, and one ask himself w...

• Word Count: 4234
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Virtu Like most Western philosophers, Niccolo Machiavelli's ideas were heavily influenced by the early Greek philosophers. Most notable among the Greek philosophers who inspired Machiavelli was Plato. In particular, Machiavelli took interest in Plato's concept of just rulers who ruled by moral virtue. Machiavelli argued against this Platonic philosophy. He believed in "virtu", whatever was best for the State was virtu. ...

• Word Count: 4508
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: Undergraduate