S/P/323. How has Adam Smith influenced modern ideas about society and the economy? How helpful, in your view, has that influence been?

The paper examines the contribution of Adam Smith's theory to the economic and social science and present day economy. Smith's ideas are reviewed discussing the concepts of universal property, division of labour, social inequality, 'invisible hand', free market, etc.

E/P/21. Marxism is a nineteenth century perspective that has little relevance to a twenty-first century world. Discuss

The paper seeks to define whether the philosophy of Karl Marx is relevant in the 21st century arguing the triumph of the capitalist economic system over Marxism, and considering its role in the context of globalisation. The ideas of the Communist Manifesto are reviewed.

S/P/114. Is an individualÌs freedom best explained by positive liberty?

In this essay I will be looking at whether the individual's freedom to pursue the good is best explained by positive or negative liberty. I will be taking the question away from any concept of the individual and looking rather at what the state must be like in order for an individual to be free to pursue the good. I will conclude by showing that the pursuit of the good resides in a republican view, which is linked to a negative notion of liberty.

S/P/103. Can the principle of fairness be used to account for political obligation?

In this essay I look at whether the principle of fairness is able to give an account of political obligation. The essay will look at the views of philosophers for (e.g. Rawls and Haart) and against (e.g. Nozick), such a principle. And will conclude with an argument showing that the principle of fairness cannot be used as an account of political obligation since most people cannot be shown to have accepted the benefits within a cooperative scheme.

S/P/101. Are all men treated equally in Plato's ideal state?

This essay will focus on the question of whether the citizens who make up Plato's ideal state (productive class, Auxilaries the warrior class, aned Guardian a class of philosopher kings), will be treated equally. The essay will compare Plato's notion of equality with that of the contemporary view of equality (moral equality). So that given the contemporary notion of equality and that of Plato, the essay will look at whether people can be said to be treated equally in Plato's ideal state.

P/P/319. Absolutism and relativism as economic approaches

The paper examines the difference between absolutism and relativism reviewing economic theories of Keynes, Adam Smith, Heckscher, etc. with respect to mercantilist policies, and arguing whether economics is a moral science.

P/P/305. Slave labour: theories and reality

The paper reviews the newspaper article blaming UK retailers for the rise in ‘slave labour’ referring to poor working conditions in SME and MNC including Tesco, Asda-Wal-Mart, etc. Marxist theory of capital is discussed including his ideas about the division of labour and workers’ alienation from the products of their labour.

P/P/304. Critical review of Barrington Moore’s ideas about regime change

The paper critically reviews the work ‘Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy’ by Barrington Moore discussing his break from traditional Marxism, the strengths and weaknesses of his comparative historical analysis and his ideas about the causes of regime change.

P/P/299. Political philosophers on the causes of war in peace

The paper examines the main causes of war and peace in the countries with different state systems reviewing literature related to the history of international relations and the theory of world politics from the time of the Greek city state system through Renaissance and Enlightenment to the Cold War period. The models of Realism, including Machiavelli’s human Fundamentalism, Imperialism, etc. are described.

P/P/291. Historical materialism: theory and reality

The paper examines the historical theory of communism based on historical materialism of Marx and Engels discussing the roots of inequalities within society, the implications of European overseas exploitation, the relationship between the owners of capital and the working class, etc. Marx’s prognosis is evaluated in the context of the 20th century history.

P/P/287. Keynes’ book ‘General Theory’: review of criticism

The paper examines Keynes’ book ‘General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money’ pointing out the main controversy about its interpretation, and critically reviewing economists’ opinions on the weaknesses and confusions of the book.

P/P/284. Adam Smith’s interpretation by historians

The paper examines the mechanisms forming the wealth of nations focusing on the theory of Adam Smith and its different interpretations by historians, namely by Emma Rothschild and by Joseph Persky.

P/P/271. Modernist and Post-Modernist approaches to strategy

The paper examines the evolution of the concept of strategy arguing whether it is in crisis, reviewing the principles of the Modern Design strategy and its criticism from the perspective of the Post-Modernist Theory.

P/P/266. Review of trade theories

The paper reviews the theories of political economy discussing the ideas of Hume about the price-specie flow mechanism, and the doctrine of the Mercantilists (Bacon, Mun, etc.) about the balance of trade.

P/P/264. Theoretical approaches to macroeconomic models

The paper reviews the rational expectation hypothesis (REH) introduced by Robert Lucas and the main concepts of the New Classical Economics (NCE) challenging the Keynesian theory and discussing the nature of monetarism, the policy ineffectiveness proposition, etc. Theoretical visions of economic systems are discussed.

P/P/263. Rents for learning: discussion in theoretical context

The paper examines the concept of ‘rents for learning’ discussing it in the context of a theoretical review of the issues related to rent, capitalist distribution of wealth, political stability, technological development, etc.

P/P/260. Contradictions of capitalism according to Marx

The paper reviews the ideas of Marx about the economic contradictions of capitalism expressed in the Manifesto of the Communist Party analysing their sociological effects and addressing the issues of class antagonism, mass unemployment, social unrest, etc. that stem from commercial crises.

P/P/259. Which model of capitalism is best for Europe under globalisation?

The paper examines the challenges of the globalisation process and its implications for Europe. American, Asian and European types of capitalism are reviewed discussing the differences between Nordic, Anglo-Saxon, Rhineland and Mediterranean capitalist models in Europe, and arguing which of these models suits Europe best.

P/P/258. Critical review of “New rules for the new economy” by Kevin Kelly

The paper reviews the article “New rules for the new economy” by Kevin Kelly critically discussing the author’s ides about the ‘network economy’, devolution, etc.

P/P/257. Types of Western European welfare states: theory and criticism

The paper examines the Esping-Andersen's typology of Western European welfare states outlining the main principles and forms of welfare, describing Conservative, Social-Democratic and Liberal state models, and offering criticism of the typology.

P/P/234. Is development through capitalism the only option for developing economies?

The paper looks at the value of the modernisation theory for the developing countries of today reviewing Rostows ideas on the stages of economic development and arguing if the pattern of the Western countries is applicable everywhere. The experience of Latin American countries is discussed.

P/P/233. Critique of modernisation theory value for developing countries

The paper reviews theories of development focusing on the modernisation theory and critically analysing its applicability in the developing countries of Latin America and in India.

P/P/182. Philosophers on modernity and democracy

The paper discusses the concepts of modernity and democracy presenting the views of various philosophers, among them Kant, Coker, Horkheimer, Adorno Bauman and Foucault. The ideas of ‘human progress, ‘perpetual peace and other values of modernity from the Enlightenment are argued.

P/P/100. Marx's understanding of ideology in reference to 'ruling ideas'

The paper contains a review of Karl Marx's theory focusing on the concept of ideology. Defined as 'dominant ideas in a given social order', ideology becomes a hegemony for society showing predominance of one social class over the other. The paper offers a brief summary of Marx's theory of historical materialism, according to which ruling ideas are the expression of the dominant material relationship, and as such are circulated among the public by mass media and communication. It is concluded that ideology operates to keep class divisions intact, and that it exists as an independent entity.

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