POL 200Y5Y: Political Theory
2020-2021
Essay topics for the second writing assignment
Please write your essay on one of the following three topics:
1. Is Machiavelli a teacher of evil?
2. Explain and assess Hobbess argument for an absolute, undivided sovereign as the only way to exit the state of nature.
3. Explain and assess Lockes argument for limited government.
Some reminders about the assignment:
1. Your essay should be based on a close reading of the primary text. You should not use any secondary sources.
2. The word limit is 2,000 words, which does not include references/bibliography.
3. Plagiarism is a serious offence!
4. You are allowed to use longer direct quotes from the primary text (but not excessively). Direct quotes should not amount to more than 25% of the length of your essay.
5. Remember, paraphrasing an argument does not make you the rightful owner of that argument you must include a reference to the passage that is being paraphrased.
6. You should use the in-text (or parenthetical) style of author-date references from the Chicago Manual of Style.
7. All in-text references should include exact page numbers for the passages being discussed.
8. Please make sure to consult the writing instructions and grading rubric posted before the first essay assignment.
