hobbes leviathan
Hobbes' Leviathan and Locke's Second Treatise of Government comprise critical works in the lexicon of political science theory. Both works expound on the origins and purpose of civil society and government. Hobbes' and Locke's writings center on the definition of the "state of nature" and the best means by which a society develops a systemic format from this beginning. The authors hold opposing views as to how man fits into the state of nature and the means by which a government should be formed and what type of government constitutes the best. This difference arises from different conceptions about human nature and "the state of nature", a condition in which the human race finds itself prior to uniting into civil society. Hobbes' Leviathan goes on to propose a system of power that rests with an absolute or omnipotent sovereign, while Locke, in his Treatise, provides for a government responsible to its citizenry with limitations on the ruler's powers. The understanding of the state of nature is essential to both theorists' discussions. For Hobbes, the state of nature is equivalent to a state of war. Locke's description of the state of nature is more complex: initially the state of nature is one of "peace, goodwill, m
is equal, whether committed by the wearer of a crown, or some petty in this state is very unsafe, very insecure. To Hobbes, the limited form of government which Locke proposes can never bring peace, only a state of cease fire, "for those that are so remissely governed, that they dare take up Armes, to defend or introduce an Opinion, are still in Warrre; and their condition not Peace, but only a Cessation of Armes for feare of one another, and they live as it were, in the procincts of battaile continually." For Locke, the opposite is true: people who are ill treated under an absolute arbitrary power will be ready to revolt easily, whereas mistakes made by a government under laws will be tolerated. If an injured person can appeal to the law there is no pretense of force. Force is only to be used when he cannot appeal. The right to resistance, even in the face of continuously manifest acts of tyranny will not immediately usher in revolution, because resistance remains on an individual level. Only when illegal acts extend to the majority, or are perceived to be a threat to the majority, will collective defense result. Collective defense against the government is equivalent to civil war. It is the legislators who act contrary to the trust put in them, however, that are guilty of rebellion and thus of introducing the state of war. Civil war can be avoided by good government. as a declaration of design upon his life....The injury and the crime
Some common words found in the essay are:
Locke's Treatise, God Hobbesian, Locke Hobbes, Succession Otherwise, Warre Locke, Cessation Armes, Locke Treatise, Thirdly Hobbesian, Hobbes' Locke's, Hobbes' Leviathan, arbitrary power, absolute arbitrary, civil war, absolute arbitrary power, war people, introduction money, own life, government established, people nature, form government, absolute government, government war people, government responsible citizenry, arbitrary power lives, natural rights establish,
Approximate Word count = 3144
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
