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Thomas Hobbes viewed the ideal government as an absolute monarchy, due to the chaos of the state of nature in contrast, John Locke’s ideal government was a democracy due to his beliefs of the equality of men. These men have shared a few of the same beliefs, but Thomas Hobbes believed that man by nature is evil. He however, lived in a time of war and famine, which most definetly influenced his views. In the state of nature, Hobbes saw competition,(mainly for material property); diffidence,(for mans own protection); and glory(for ones reputation and honor), as the only predicaments capable of causing quarrels. He saw man’s natural motives powered by emotions resulting from material possessions; this puts the state of nature into a state chaos. Hobbes believed that logically, man would look for a way out of this chaotic state. A possible solution to this chaos would be if everyone observed the natural laws of: justice, equity, modesty, and mercy. In contrast, Hobbes stated that it would be a laborious task for man to follow these laws. Hobbes believed that these laws are contrary to man’s natural passions’, and man would not willfully obey them unless it is beneficial to himself. A bond with words alone can not hold a man to keep a promise, therefore, man needs “the terror of some power to cause the [laws] to be observed,” as stated by Hobbes (CWT III, 36). He felt this terror would be best represented in the structure of an absolute monarchy. If a power is present which is not strong enough for a man’s security, man will call on his strengths to secure himself from other men. It was clear to Hobbes, that men must group themselves together, with a leader capable of ensuring obedience of these natural laws. It is important that the group being governed is a large group because the small groups are not stable. The addition of only a few members with contrasting views to a small group, could destroy the entire community. Thus, small groups invite invaders and foster dissent. Hobbes to accepted that man bestowing his power in one leader, “is more than consent, or concord; it is a real unity of them all, in one every man, I authorize and give up my right of governing myself, to this man, or on this condition, that thou give up thy right to him, and authorize all his actions in like manner.” (CWT III, 38). The preceding quote was Hobbes’s opinion of a social contract. This, Hobbes believed, was essential to man escaping the state of nature, and to the formation of a responsible government. Through this, complete power should be vested in one king, and the people who gave him this power need to trust and abide by him at all times. They are not to rebel, because rebellion would lead them back to the chaos which they were trying escape. Basically, Hobbes’s ideal state had rights against the people, because it possessed all the sovereignty,and the people Locke believed that man by nature is good. He lived in a fairly peaceful era which had directly influenced this view. Locke saw the state of nature as a state of the natural freedom, of man; to order their actions, and dispose of their positions and persons as they found fit within the bounds of the laws of nature. The state of nature, however, is not a state of license. (CWT,70). This means although man has ability to deal with himself and his belongings as he wishes, he does not have the authority to act in a way which is destructive toward himself or other persons because, in doing such, he is breaking the laws of nature. Locke believed that man, in the state of nature, as having the right to interpret and enforce the laws as he sees fit, this vigilante system is To avoid this chaos, Locke saw it necessary to implement a social contract, to govern men by a common ruler, or assembly. Another main purpose of this contract is to protect man’s property. According to Locke, a social contract has no meaning without the consent of the people it is governing over. Locke stated that people retain sovereignty and grant it only temporarily to state officials, they nonetheless always hold part of the sovereignty and have the right to recall the rest of it. This new community, formed by the social contract, Locke believed should practice mutual consent, with a majority rule system. Locke saw all men equal in the state of nature, hence all have equal opinions. This gives each man a protected right to exercise his liberties when, in the state of nature each man’s liberties are constantly exposed to the aggression of others. According to Locke, it was the government’s job to protect the people although, if the people are not protected due to an unjust government, then rebellion is justified. Locke believed the state had a responsibility to the people, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke had great insight into the ideas of two of the most empowering and successful governments of all time. Although their ideas contrast, each provides a strong base for the purposed governments. Each man realized the importance of moving beyond the state nature and chaos within it. Partially because of the ideas of these men, both present and past governments of the United States and Great Britain have been strong. The history of this world could greatly differ if these Bibliography: Shiller, Edward M. "Locke and Hobbes." Western Heritage, Vol 38(4): 232-240 Word Count: 1004
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