Thomas Hobbes Research Paper

Political Theorists of the 18th Century

Eighteenth century political theorists drew heavily from the concept of natural law, or the belief that right and wrong were inherent by the order of nature. Government was something that had to be “justified” to the people as a means of upholding the “rightness” delineated by nature. Thus, different forms of government attempted to justify their acceptability to the moral consciousness. Among them were absolutism, supported by Thomas Hobbes and constitutionalism justified by John Locke.

In his book entitled Leviathan, Hobbes expounded on his firm belief in the necessity and efficacy of an absolutist government. Hobbes believed that people were naturally "quarrelsome and turbulent," and that in order to maintain a lawful and peaceful society, they gave over their freedom to a ruler with unlimited sovereignty. His principal reasoning was that any questioning of governmental actions would provide an opening for ensuing chaos. Thus Hobbes believed that absolute power was a

In his book The Two Treatises of Government, he explained, that unlike Hobbes, he opposed the doctrine of absolutism for he believed that people, by nature, were reasonable and capable of self-government. However, he acknowledged that people need a form of government to ensure that their individual rights are granted to them. Unlike under absolute rule, however, the power of the government is not unconditional. For if the government goes against its very purpose and does not protect the natural rights of the people, the people have a right to rebel against this government. Locke's philosophies greatly influenced the British colonies in the Americas. His ideas were heavily drawn upon by rebel leaders during the time leading up to the American Revolution and were even quoted in the Declaration of