Comparing Thomas Hobbs And John Locke's Ideal Use Of Government

Thomas Hobbs was a believer that all men were inherently born evil and that human nature lead us to be solely self-interested and that man is only motives by the improvement of mans individual situations and the satisfaction of our own needs. Because of this selfishness the pre-constitutional state of nature was pure brutality. This brutal state of nature is is derived form individuals living in continuous fear of one another due to this selfish state of mind. This constant state of distrust is Hobbs’ reasoning behind the government and constitution.
Because man lived in constant fear of each other the believed that their only way to stay safe was was give up their power to police themselves and put it in the hands of another who can give full dedication to protecting their lives.
Completely opposite of …show more content…
Locke’s philosophies were very influential in the way our government was shaped and even today most of these belief still play a large role in every day life. The systems that are still in place today are that the government gets its power from its people, the social contract, the separation of powers and mans natural rights. The main difference between Locke’s ideal use of government and todays use of government is that today the government is used for a lot more than just the protection of life, liberty, property. While today government still protects Locke 's natural rights it is being used like Russo’s ideal form of government as well, its has become a way for all to receive equality. While all three men did not agree on the same philosophies regarding the the pre-political nature of man, state of nature, and what the real purpose government is for, they created a constitution that helped set up the United States for greatness. Locke’s philosophies were very influential in the way our government was