Comparing Thomas Hobbes And John Locke

The seventeenth century was a period of great social and political change in England. These changes raised important questions about how to balance the power of government with the need to maintain order. Two political thinkers of England who answered these questions were Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. England’s answers eventually formed the basis of many modern democracies, including that of the United States. Problems with order and power were reflected in English political and legal thought. William Blackstone, a judge and professor of law, wrote Commentaries on the Laws of England, arguing that political stability could be attained by a revived focus on English law. Two political philosophers, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, provided their

Published in 1690, Locke’s Two Treaties of Government, he disagreed with the use of man as the sole ruler of a society. Contrary to Hobbes, Locke believed that before civilized society, humans lived in an equal and free state rather than a state of chaos and destruction. Due to this belief, Locke also believed in natural rights, which are the rights that everybody has at birth. These natural right did not pertain to only one race or gender, they included all shapes, sizes, color, and gender. The natural rights, Locke believed, are rights to life, property, and liberty. However, Locke did agree with Hobbes in one condition. Locke agreed with Hobbes in the fact that it was difficult for humans to protect their natural rights. As a result, they all created a government and agreed to protect their rights and judge those who violated these natural rights. The contract was that the government would protect the people’s rights, and the people would act in a reasonable way towards the government and others. However, if the government did not uphold these rights, the people would be able to break off from that form of government and create a new government system. The most successful political system out of the two ideas presented by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke would be Locke’s. The idea of natural rights is humanely and socially correct. Everybody should have the right to life, property, and liberty. Nobody, however, should be property. The idea of a government system that can be appealed by the citizens if certain requirements are not meant is a healthy and active system. This system will thrive because a ruler cannot have absolute power and command everybody and everything within his borders. Thomas Hobbes’ ideas were cruel and