Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher and political writer, best known for his book “Leviathan” (1651), in which he set out his political views on society and how governments should conduct themselves. Hobbes was writing at a very important point in history: England was going through the turmoil of civil war and this was a major influence on Hobbes’ political work. Also, Hobbes was writing just before the period known as the enlightenment and helped to sculpt the views of many other political theorists. The political work of Hobbes involved writings, being involved in political society and institutions and tutoring other intellectuals.
The key ideas, that Hobbes describes in Leviathan and through out his political life are; materialism, contractarianism, utilitarianism, and egoism. Hobbe’s thought on these ideas influenced many other thinkers and are key to understanding Hobbes thought. Egoism, is central to Hobbe’s thinking, as he believed that individuals are driven by their own self-interest. Regarding materialism, Hobbes believed that human decisions and interactions should not be based on the pursuit of material goods. The theory of contractarianism, is popular among many other theorists such as; Locke, Rawls and Rousseau. Contractarianism is a theory of a hypothetical contract between government and citizens. Utilitarianism, is the theory that political decisions should maximise pleasure and minimise pain. Utilitarianism is attributed mostly to John Stuart Mills, but there are similar themes that run through out Hobbes’ philosophy. Hobbes used his political work to try to influence the political landscape during his lifetime. He was a royalist supporter, who favoured absolute monarchy as a way of creating a stable society. On the outbreak of the English civil war Hobbes fled to Paris to live in exile where he wrote a treatise in 1640 defending King Charles I and the use of the prerogative powers. The treatise, “Elements of Law, Natural and Politic” , (1640) was even used in Parliamentary debates. Hobbes also served as a political advisor, translator, keeper of accounts and tutor for the wealthy and influential Cavendish family from 1608-1640 . During this period Hobbes attended parliamentary debates as well as meetings of the governors of the Virginia company , which had the sole purpose of colonizing North America’s eastern seaboard. Throughout his lifetime, although not in a direct position of authority, Hobbes had access to many people who held positions of power and mingled often in these social circles. Even during exile, Hobbes was a tutor to the young Charles II for a year in 1646. Although he was critical of Charles II on several topics in “Leviathan”, Hobbes was still invited to the royal court when the monarchy was reinstated in 1660 . Whilst Hobbes could not influence the political landscape directly around him, he had many opportunities through his many roles as an advisor, despite the lull of influence during his exile in Paris. Therefore, while Hobbes had an impact on English history, the significance of his political work goes far beyond this. Hobbes’ political work has historical significance because his views helped to shape many other important political developments, for instance the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Hobbes’ ideas are clear throughout the American Constitution, such as: the social contract, inalienable rights, and equality of all men. Hobbes believed that a government needed to be formed to enforce the rule of law and prevent chaos, but that citizens need to consent to forming the government . This idea is clear in the language of the preface of the US Constitution, in the use of phrases such as: “We the People”; “ensure domestic tranquillity”; and “promote the general welfare” . The use of “We the People” implies that the people are coming to an agreement about the basic conduct of …show more content…
Hobbesian theory states that equality needs to be protected and that is why it is written into law and the US Constitution. Whilst the American founding fathers rejected Hobbes’ idea of absolute monarchy, and there is a Locke influence, there is a definite influence of Hobbes theories in the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and many other influential historical