Modern Political Thought: Hobbes Leviathan II:  The Powers of the Sovereign

Why do individuals in the state of nature agree to the state? Do you think this a rational thing for them to do?

• Individuals in the state of nature agree to the formation of the state, as according to Hobbes, humans seek peace. The best way to achieve peace is the establishment of contracts.
• Humans natural tendency to pursue power will always threaten the safety of the contract, therefore a state is established that can use force (and do whatever necessary) to maintain peace and individuals’ rights. “if there be no Power erected, or not great enough for our security; every man will, and may lawfully rely on his own strength and art, for caution against all other men”. Chapter XVII.
  

• People agree to the state because it operates through fear – the threat of punishment reinforces the mandates of the laws of nature, thus ensuring the continued operation of the social contract. Without fear, covenants would not work – “And Covenants, without the Sword, are but Words, and of no strength to secure a man at all”. Chapter XVII.
• People will rationally agree to the state because (a) it is in their best interests (will be punished otherwise), (b) they will want to be safe from invaders, (c) they will be able to create their own industry, (d) they will be able to live in peace under state rule.
• Although both the state of nature and living within the Leviathan create fear for the people, the fear that is created in Leviathan is infinitely preferable as it is also accompanied by a security – the assurance of peace and the preservation of life. The fear in the state of nature, on the other hand, is backed up by no such assurance.
• Humans will also rationally agree to the state because if they do well, the state has “the Power of Rewarding with riches, or honour”. Chapter XVIII.

What, if any, is the role of consent in Hobbe’s theory?

• Two types of commonwealth; (1) political commonwealth, by consent – “Where men agree amongst themselves, to submit to some man, or assembly of men, voluntarily, on confidence to be protected by him against all others” Chapter XVII. People reach an agreement because they fear each other, and (2) commonwealth by acquisition, by natural force – “to force the subjects to submit to his government”. This means destroy them if they refuse by any means necessary including war”. People give their support because they fear the sovereign itself.
• Role of consent is thus used to establish one form of commonwealth – ties with Hobbes description of how natural man raises himself out of the state of nature (through the establishment of the Leviathan – an artificial body).

Does Hobbes make a convincing case for political obligation to the state – or merely explain why obedience is expedient?

• Under commonwealth, all individual rights are transferred to the sovereign in order for the sovereign’s protection to work (the only right individual’s are left with is that of self-preservation).
• By giving up their individual rights, individuals expect the state to provide security and freedom.

What do you think Hobbes’ commonwealth would look like?

• Hobbe’s commonwealth is “the Multitude so united in one Person, is called a Common-wealth…This is the generation of the great Leviathan” (mortal god).
• The purpose of establishing a commonwealth is to escape the state of nature – to provide peace and common defence of the people (sovereign is responsible for ensuring this defence).
• Commonwealth should therefore be a place of ultimate peace, (even if there are uses of force), a place where individuals are happy, and can pursue their own liberties rationally.

Do you think that Hobbes’ political conclusions follow (inevitably) from his premises?

What does Hobbes understand by liberty?

• Liberty under sovereign power means the ability to act according to one’s own will without being physically hindered from performing that act. Only chains or imprisonment can prevent one from acting, so all subjects have absolute liberty under sovereignty – liberty principle: freedom to be self-interested as long as you don’t impose on others right to self-interest.
• Absolute liberty & freedom still exist under sovereignty because the subjects themselves have created the chains. The subject is thus responsible for all hindrances to his actions and therefore cannot complain. “He that complaineth of injury from his Soveraigne, complaineth of that whereof he himselfe is Author; and therefore ought not to accuse any man but himselfe”. Chapter XVIII.
• Because subject has willingly given power the sovereign, the subject has attained absolute liberty. Hobbes concludes that freedom can only truly exist under a sovereign power authorized by its subjects.
• In the state of nature, liberty does not exist, because actions are hindered by fear of death or the power of others.
• The right to self-preservation always stands – when the sovereign no longer protects the security of the commonwealth – the subjects are no longer obliged to obey him.