Thomas Hobbes

Question 1

who was Thomas Hobbes and what is his significance in political thought

Answer 1

an English philosopher (1588-1679), considered a key figure in conservative political philosophy, linked to the liberal principle of government by consent

Question 2

what is Hobbes view of human nature

Answer 2

deeply sceptical - he believed humans are driven by self-interest and prone to conflict and destruction

Question 3

what was Hobbes’ famous work

Answer 3

Leviathan (1651)

Question 4

when was Leviathan written

Answer 4

1651

Question 5

what was Hobbes’ view of life in the ‘state of nature’

Answer 5

life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” due to lack of cooperation and constant fear of violence

Question 6

what causes chaos in the state of nature according to Hobbes

Answer 6

the absence of any formal authority to enforce laws and maintain order

Question 7

how did Hobbes believe order and security could be established?

Answer 7

through a ‘contract’ where individuals surrender rights to a sovereign (state) in return for security

Question 8

what kind of government did Hobbes advocate

Answer 8

an autocratic government - concentrated power to prevent conflict and disorder

Question 9

what was Hobbes’ main justification for the state

Answer 9

to create order and security; without it, no civil society could exist

Question 10

what qualities must the state have to be effective according to Hobbes

Answer 10

it must be autocratic, intimidating, and forbidding

Question 11

Hobbes’ views on society

Answer 11

• society cannot exist without a strong state
• in the ‘state of nature’, society is impossible due to constant fear and conflict
• human interactions are driven by self-interest and mistrust
• order and progress only come after individuals submit to a sovereign
• society emerges through a social contract that ensures security
• without authority, life is chaotic and insecure
• a strong, autocratic state is essential to maintain civil society

Question 12

Hobbes’ views on the state

Answer 12

• the state is necessary to prevent chaos and violence
• created through a social contract where individuals surrender rights to a sovereign
• purpose: to ensure order, security, and civil society
• without the state, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”
• must be autocratic - centralised power prevents return to the state of nature
• effective state must be intimidating and forbidding to maintain control

Question 13

Hobbes’ views on human nature

Answer 13

• profoundly sceptical view
• humans are naturally selfish and driven by self-interest
• motivated by desire for power and acquisition of goods
• mistrustful of others; constant fear of violence
• life without authority would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”
• human nature leads to chaos without a strong authority to impose order

Question 14

Hobbes’ views on the economy

Answer 14

• had limited interest in economics directly
• believed economic activity depends on order and security
• in the state of nature, economic life was impossible due to chaos and insecurity
• a strong, authoritarian state is needed to create stability for trade and property rights
• supported a central authority to regulate and protect economic transactions
• prioritised security over economic freedom