Terrorism and violence in politics

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss politically motivated violence. Is there ever a justification for terrorism? Does the state have a right to use violence against its citizens? Does the end justify the means? And what can we learn from the "yellow vest" protests in France?

Join us for an hour-long dose of your Daily Philosophy and explore with us the philosophical issues surrounding terrorism and violence in politics.

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Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:14 Collective vs individual use of violence
00:02:16 Terrorism vs wars
00:03:45 Definition of terrorism
00:05:16 Does the state have a right to employ force?
00:06:27 Thomas Hobbes on violence
00:07:32 Hobbes and violent uprisings
00:10:38 John Locke on resistance
00:11:48 Jean-Jacques Rousseau on natural rights
00:12:57 Thomas Jefferson on rebellion
00:13:30 US gun debate
00:16:14 Mistrust towards the government
00:19:04 John Stuart Mill on freedom and political violence
00:21:00 Limits of democracy
00:23:31 Yellow vests protests in France
00:27:04 Marx on violence and harm
00:27:48 Innocent victims vs symbols of oppression
00:32:16 Are agents of the state legitimate targets?
00:34:11 The state should have higher moral standards
00:36:49 Justification from necessity and JS Mill
00:40:17 Means and ends in ethics
00:42:12 Oppressive violence and freeing violence
00:45:21 Extinction rebellion, Greenpeace
00:50:02 Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski and eco terrorism
00:53:34 Does the end justify the means?
00:55:23 Environmental protection and social justice
00:58:00 Nonviolent protest and Mahatma Gandhi
01:02:44 Can people be symbols of oppression?
01:03:47 Kant: Treating persons as ends
01:04:09 Conclusion: Making sure that we don’t need violence

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:06:27 Thomas Hobbes on violence
00:07:32 Hobbes and violent uprisings
00:10:38 John Locke on resistance
00:11:48 Jean-Jacques Rousseau on natural rights
00:12:57 Thomas Jefferson on rebellion
00:19:04 John Stuart Mill on freedom and political violence
00:27:04 Marx on violence and harm
00:36:49 Justification from necessity and JS Mill
00:50:02 Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski and eco terrorism
00:58:00 Nonviolent protest and Mahatma Gandhi
01:03:47 Kant: Treating persons as ends

Next episode: What is Anarchism?

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