theories on what basis should subjects obey rulers Flashcards
what notion was being challenged in the 17th century and by who
- the notion of the divine right of Kings was challenged
- challenged by political theorists who proposed the social contract
what was the ‘social contract’
an actual or hypothetical agreement between subjects and rulers, defining the rights and duties of each
what did the ‘social contract’ theory state about the state of nature
according to the social contract theory, in primeval times, individuals were born into an anarchic ‘state of nature’ that was unstable and prevented humans from pursuing goals that needed cooperation from others
what was the consequence of exerting reason according to the social contract theory
by exerting reason, people formed organised societies with government
who were the main two theorists that developed the social contract theory
- Thomas Hobbes
- John Locke
what was Hobbes works (including the Levithan) shaped by
shaped by his experience of the horrors and bloodshed of the English civil War
how did Hobbes view the government
viewed it as a means to guarantee collective security
what did Hobbes argue that the state of nature was characterised by
characterised by the ‘continual fear and danger of violent death’ and the prospects of lives that would be poor and nasty led to people forming governments and seeking safety in the hands of strong rulers
what did Hobbes believe about the people in society
that the were obliged to obey the strong ruler, even if their actions were authoritarian
what did Hobbes believe was the alternative to people in society not obliging the strong ruler
perpetual war of every man against his neighbour
what did John Locke argue in his ‘two treatises of Government
that in agreement for relinquishing certain rights, individuals would in return get government protection from physical harm, property and stability to interact for human benefit
what did Locke argue in regards to establishing government
that in establishing government, the citizens had relinquished some of their original rights
what did Locke argue in regards to natural rights
that people had natural rights that couldn’t be awarded or taken away from government so no ruler could claim absolute power over all aspects of the lives of their subjects
what did Locke reason with by advertising the notion of individual rights
he reasoned that the people would be entitled to revolt and replace existing government if it failed to protect the interest of the people or attempt to overstep its authority
