“The direction of political thought during the Medieval, Reformation, and Renaissance periods is toward increasing secularization—i.e., the diminished relevance of religion.”

Please answer two of the following three questions. Each will be 1 page in length, Double spaced and 12 inch margins. This is a take-home exam with open notes, self-timed to a maximum of two hours. Exam papers are to be uploaded on Moodle by 11:59 pm on Monday, October 24.

(1) “The direction of political thought during the Medieval, Reformation, and Renaissance periods is toward increasing secularization—i.e., the diminished relevance of religion.” Assess this claim with respect to the political theorists from those eras who we’ve covered in class.

(2) “Idealism pervades Plato’s political thought; the difference with Aristotle could hardly be greater.” Discuss.

(3) “From Plato through Machiavelli, political theorists seem to agree: In politics, it doesn’t pay to be good.” Discuss.