Hobbes_Rousseau

A detailed Summary of Hobbes_Rousseau

Through the development of the Polis, both Hobbes and Rousseau have stood as highly influential theorists of the Social Contract. Although both writers would strongly agree for the development of society and the importance of a Social Contract, the actual methods and ends are quite distinct for each man. Hobbes' contract aims at assuring Civil Peace through the use of the ruler to secure the contract in exchange for obedience of the people. In contrast to this method, Rousseau chooses to generate the legitimacy in the contract through the will of the people and for their prosperity and self-preservation. It is through examining the divergent methods of each author that the true distinctions of each form of Social Contract become apparent.

The development of the Social Contract for both Hobbes and Rousseau forms from man's need to preserve humanity, but this is not the intended purpose of the contract for Rousseau. For Hobbes, man is naturally evil in the State of Nature. The natural condition of man is competitive and causes distrust and vanity among men. Consequently, man turns to reason to dictate the necessity of self-preservation in this state. "And therefore, as long as this naturall Right of every ma

n to every thing endureth, there can be no security to any man...of living out the time which Nature ordinarily alloweth men to live" (Hobbes p. 190). To preserve, secure and assure the right of self-preservation, man must use reason to escape the continual fear of violent death that occurs in Nature. The created "Civil Peace" is the purpose of the Social Contract for Hobbes and leads to the Common Wealth.

In contrast, Hobbes sees consent of the contract as freely alienating your current rights, except the right of self-preservation, without expectation of their return. Unlike Rousseau, Hobbes believes that the right of self-preservation must remain an inalienable right, because if man cannot preserve himself, he returns to the State of War and can not hope to accomplish Civil Peace. As a result, Hobbes' covenant requires man to "endeavour Peace, as farre as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek, and use, all helps, and advantages of Warre" (Hobbes p. 190). The covenant for Hobbes requires man to maintain his right of self-preservation within society to assure Civil Peace.

Although both contracts have similar characteristics, several crucial properties remain distinct in each. In entering the Social Contract, Hobbes and Rousseau believe man must consent to lay down his rights and submit to the created convention to avoid returning to the State of Nature. "That man be willing when others are so too, as farre-forth as for Peace, and defence of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right...and be content with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himselfe" (Hobbes p. 190). While laying down of rights and equality for all within the contract is essential, Rousseau's contract allows man to obey himself while remaining as free as before. Rousseau contends that total alienation of property, rights and freedom is needed to form a perfect union where no further demands could be required. Because each citizen has submitted equally to the union, each gains not only what they had sacrificed, but the greater force to preserve these things. "Although in this state he deprives himself of several of the advantages belonging to him in the State of Nature, he regains such great ones" (Rousseau p. 151).

In contrast, Hobbes' society requires all within the covenant to acknowledge each other creating a trust among the individuals. Together as equals, the citizens of the contract act as a majority and vote for a ruler. It is through the authority of the majority that a ruler gains the right to rule, but it is the fear of this ruler which legitimizes and enforces the contract. Unlike Rousseau who felt the legitimacy of the regime depends upon the people, Hobbes believes, "covenants, without the Sword, are but words, and of no strength to secure man at all...therefore, if there be no Power erected, or not great enough for security, every man will and may lawfully rely on his own strength and art, for caution against all other men" (Hobbes p. 223). The importance o

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Approximate Word count = 2078
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics