Blog Entry #4

New ideas in politics and philosophy tend to emerge in times of social, political, and/or economic stress? How can this be explained?

The reason that new ideas in politics and philosophy tend to emerge in times of social political and/or economic stress is because people believe that with new policies or ideas, their society will be better. The reason people think this is because they are being logical. They are saying that since the present political leader and his/her philosophy, are not working, they need change. This can be seen today in the presidential campaigns. Since President Bush’s leadership policies have not been working to America’s benefits (i.e. the economy crisis, relief work for Hurricane Katrina etc.), the two candidates are calling for change. They each have their own ideas and philosophies about how they will change America for the better. Another example of when a time of stress led to political change and new philosophies emerging was during the Qin dynasty. The Qin ruled under a Legalistic way, which sent the population into an uproar. Their dynasty was so short because their policies made the population upset and wanting a changed political government with better philosophies of how to rule. The Han became such a successful dynasty after the Qin because they answered the people’s call of a changed government and more humane philosophy of ruling. In conclusion the reason one can see in history and the modern day how political, social and/or economic stress leads to a change in political governing and way of ruling is because the population realizes that the original way does not work and that they need a new one.