Politics and the State

Politics and the State

Introduction

The paper aims to discuss philosophical views of Hobbes, Aristotle and Locke on a desirable political system, which can guide human beings to preserve their lives in a peaceful state. In the light of evidence collected from primary sources, paper analyzes agreement or disagreement in the views of named philosophers on the subject of a reliable and justified constitutional authority.

Discussion

Set # 01: In Leviathan, what did Thomas Hobbes argue is the origin and purpose of the State? Who did he believe should exercise political authority? What limits to the power of the State, if any, did he recognize?

In his book, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes defined human beings as inherently violent and selfish, and argued that the law of nature could not always guide human behavior towards self-preservation. He highlighted peculiar characteristics of human nature, which will stand men against men. He believed that human society without government will be a troublesome and terrifying place under the rule of personal gains and glory of men. According to Hobbes, preservation of peace in the human state paves way for the origin of the State, which can ensure the security and peace of man's society.

Hobbes's believed that the state shall possess infallible authority to avoid the horrified state of nature. He assumed that fear of human nature can be prevented with the formation of a monarchic state with ultimate authority to rule and sustain stability in the society. He favored the idea that state shall hold combined powers to provoke an endless war of humanity, which will end up with nothing but destruction of human beings and the nature.

In Hobbes' view, purpose of political stature is to restrain human beings from miserable and hazardous consequences of war so that human beings can live a contended and preserved life. Hobbes believed that a single man or an assembly of men shall exercise political authority; whereby reducing their individual wills unto a single will with greater benefit for the society. According to Hobbes, appointed man or assembly of men, whom everyone acknowledged and entrusted, will bear the responsibility of maintaining common peace and safety. They will represent the will and judgment of everyone and thereby will be caused to act in things, which are concerned with peace and safety of the state.

The power of the state, Leviathan, is limited by the nature of its formation whereby every ruling member of the ...