Absolutism and Limited Government

A detailed Summary of Absolutism and Limited Government

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke set up the basis for the two major forms of government in the 17th century. Hobbes believed that the only successful government would be an absolute monarchy. Locke believed in a limited monarchy form of government. Both of these systems were practiced over many years preceding their writings. The purpose of their writings was to explain why those forms of government are legitimate. Both theories begin with the same basic assumptions, however their conclusions differ greatly. Their opinions were heavily influenced by the general felling of people towards the government of that time.

The foundation of both of these theories is identical. Man without government will never prosper. They differ in that Hobbes seems to have believed that man by nature is constantly in a state of war. He believed that men need government in order to feel safe. He explains that without government there is no justice and injustice. Locke has a less severe opinion on human nature. He believed that man needs government in order to accumulate wealth. Fundamentally both of these theories claim that man needs to be governed. They then continue by explaining that government is

govern than others. Man agrees with man through covenants and they need a common power. Hobbes believed that "The only way to erect such a common power which may be able to defend them from invasion of foreigners and the injuries of one another ...is to confer all their power and strength upon one man, or upon one assembly of men that may reduce all their wills, by plurality of voices, unto one will...to appoint one man or assembly of men to bear their person; and everyone to accept and acknowledge himself to be author of whatsoever he that so bears their person shall act or cause to be acted in those things which concern the common peace and safety, and therein to submit their wills every one to his will, and their judgments to his judgment." Every man gives the power to govern to one sovereign. This was visible with Louis XIV in France. He had counselors from the Catholic Church but he was a divine right absolute monarch. The king is the highest person, but he is chosen by God.

In practice both absolute monarchy and limited monarchy are flawed. An absolute monarchy has no protection for its citizens. A complete democracy in the hands of the people is too weak to attain necessary goals. The major problem with the theories is that they take both concepts to the extreme. The solution seems to lie within a compromise of the two.

Locke believed that the formation of a limited monarchy form of government is the only way that man can insure his safety. He believed that everyone has to have one common rule to live by. It follows from this that the sovereign must also

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Approximate Word count = 1068
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History