Assignment 9 Hobbes Locke
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Dec 6, 2023
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Assignment 9
Read the following:
Cohen, “Political Theory and Practice,” p. 202.
Thomas Hobbes, “Dictatorship,” p. 205.
John Locke, “Rule by the Majority,” p. 211.
In this assignment, you’ll be reading some classic texts in political theory. Cohen
explains the view briefly. Hobbes argues for a monarchy or a king — which amounts
to arguing for a dictator. Hobbes starts with the idea of the state of nature, an idea
of a time before there is any government. He says that we do not want to be in a
state of nature, because it is a war of all against all. We must all agree to cooperate,
form a government, and get out of the state of nature. But we cannot trust anyone
to keep their word. So Hobbes thinks that we must put in place a powerful person
(or group of people) who will, through the terror of some punishment, force
everyone to keep his or her agreements. We must give this person, the king,
tremendous powers to do whatever he thinks is necessary to keep order and peace.
The purpose of government is to protect people’s lives and give them security.
Being influential for our founding fathers, Locke rejects monarchy and argues for
majority rule. Locke says that humans are not that evil, and we already can get
along in a state of nature (before the government). Hobbes sees a barren war of all
against all in the state of nature, but Locke imagines that in the state of nature,
people will already have industry, culture, morality, and property. However, for
Locke, people need to be able to protect their property. In the state of nature,
people can’t protect their right to their property very well. We need government
primarily to help us protect what is rightfully ours. Notice the many similarities
between Hobbes’ and Locke’s theories. They are both social contract theorists.
__________________________________
Question 1: Hobbes’ political theory (like Locke’s) is a social contract theory. What is
a social contract theory?
Answer 1
The social contract theory demonstrates people live in harmony because of a pact that sets out moral and
governmental norms. In this case, the people made an implied pact with the government to coexist in
society while abiding by specific laws that serve everyone's interests. As mentioned in the Declaration of
Independence, governments are established among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of
the governed, "when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bonds which have connected them with another." People who subscribe to the social contract
theory must follow the law and the standards of justice because they consented to do so.
_________________
Question 2: Hobbes clearly states what everyone is supposed to agree to do. Find
this statement. What is it that we all say to each other, according to Hobbes? (Find
the statement and copy down here.)
Answer 2:
"A Commonwealth is said to be instituted when a multitude of men do agree, and covenant, everyone
with everyone, that to whatsoever man, or assembly of men, shall be given by the major part the right to
present the person of them all, that is to say, to be their representative; every one, as well he that voted for
it as he that voted against it, shall authorize all the actions and judgments of that man, or assembly of
men, in the same manner as if they were his own, to the end to live peaceably amongst themselves and be
protected against other men."
___________________
Question 3: What is the state of nature for Hobbes and what does he say it’s like to
be in the state of nature?
Answer 3:
For Hobbes, the development of human interaction before society is the state of nature. In sense, it is a
period before the establishment of a well-organized administration to preserve the well-being and unity of
society. According to Hobbes, being in the state of nature entails leading a brief, impoverished, deplorable
life without any possessions, no developed culture or arts, no regulations, and constant dread. Hobbes
thinks that "a war of all against all" would be incompatible with human nature.
___________________________
Question 4: Explain Hobbes argument for a monarch or a dictator. According to
Hobbes, why should we all agree to be governed by a monarch, or a dictator?
Answer 4:
According to Hobbes, establishing a civil authority requires the presence of a monarch or dictator. He
holds this view because he sees it as the only practical way to achieve the fundamental goal of
government. Because it would correct the lack of a powerful governing body and permit human nature to
not live in an environment of war, he believed that the absolute monarchy was the only genuine form of
government
.
__________________________________
Question 5: Hobbes gives a large list of powers that the sovereign, or the monarch,
has. List all of these powers. Please NUMBER them vertically and use complete
sentences to state each one.
Answer 5:
1.
Cannot be put to death
2.
Power to handle disputes
3.
Assign rules
4.
Decide what thoughts and actions are appropriate
5.
Decide who must be loyal to them
________________________________
Question 6: What do you think of Hobbes’ arguments? Do you agree with Hobbes
argument for a monarchy or not? Would you agree to it or not? Why or why not?
Explain your views.
Answer 6:
I concur with the statement that people are not inherently decent and need authority to help safeguard
their lives and property, therefore I agree with Hobbes' theory. Yet, I do not believe that we require a
monarchy or a dictator, as a monarchy is notorious for misconduct and the misuse of authority. It isn't
right to have a dictator govern a government rather than the people, and I believe that a democracy in
which the citizens have a say would be a superior system. A monarchy, in my view, will make all that in
society more severe. Allowing one individual total authority to act however they desire would result in
serious wrongdoing because the public would not have the ability to have a say in their own lives. Given
that every decision in a monarchy has been established, citizens may elect a dictator who abuses their
authority making life unpleasant for society as all they are concerned with is maintaining their position of
authority.
______________________________
Question 7: Locke’s political theory is a social contract theory. What do we all agree
to, according to Locke?
Answer 7:
All people "are naturally in a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their
possessions and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature without asking leave or
depending upon the will of any other human" is what we all agree on, according to Locke. In sense, since
the government exists with the approval of individuals to uphold and advance welfare, we all agree to
cooperate for the common benefit. Everyone is aware that if the government does not act in this manner,
an alternate one may be installed.
___________________________
Question 8: Stating some specifics, explain some ways in which Locke’s view of the
state of nature differs from Hobbes’ view of the state of nature. Does Locke say that
it is a war of all against all, for instance? How else do their views differ on this?
Answer 8:
Since Locke thinks that people have perfect liberty, equal rights, assets, civic justice, civilization,
industry, and a state of plenty in the state of nature, his conception of the state of nature is different from
that of Hobbes'. Because he believes that individuals in the state of nature possess the liberty to act as
they wish, unless they infringe on the liberties of others, Locke does not believe that the state of nature is
a war of all against all.
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