Michael Scalera
Mrs. Sauter
World History/ Block G
12/6/14
Three Philosophes Throughout history up to present day, we witness many social contracts and forms of governments take shape, cause controversy, and influence many individuals and nations across the globe. A social contract can be described as an implicit agreement among members of society to cooperate for social benefits. There are many different forms of social contracts and governments; ranging from absolute monarchies to total democracies. Between 1651 and 1848 there were three influential philosophers who wrote ideal theories in term of social contracts: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Karl Marx. While Hobbes, Locke, and Marx all have valid reasons to support their claims for what …show more content…
is to confer all their power and strength upon one man, or upon one assembly of men...” – Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651. In the above quotation, Hobbes illustrates his belief that there should only be one power, a single monarch and/or monarchy running the state and citizens. This individual or group of people should be granted the power over all of man and to have absolute political authority on all decisions. Hobbes’s contract influenced many leaders and nations to follow this contract as well as sparking ideas of new thinkers to come. However, Hobbes’s quote and contract does indeed not make sense for the world in which we live in today because it is based on the idea that people are unable to take care of themselves. In reality, throughout history people have proven that they are able to take care of themselves. In addition, Hobbes’s idea will not work because it requires that all people lose their natural liberties, which has shown through history results in rebellion, emigration, and ultimately causes chaos for the government. Compared to other philosopher, Hobbes’s contract provides us with an overall improper way in which to run a stable government and …show more content…
He states: “The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but to have only the law of nature for his rule.” – John Locke, The Second Treatise of Civil Government, 1690. It is clear that Locke was a strong advocate for both individual as well as government power. Locke believed that there should be a balance between government and the people’s natural liberties. Furthermore, Locke believes that people are reasonable and moral; and as such they should be granted their rights to life, liberty, and property. He also stresses a form of government very different from that of Hobbes and Marx because he argues that a government with limited power is an ideal form of government. In particular, Locke’s contract was the most useful because it has the best application for the world in which we live in today. Lastly, Locke’s idea of government makes perfect sense for the world we live in today because in most cases all individuals are granted their own natural rights. By giving people the power to vote, it puts a limit on government powers, thereby creating a limited monarchy, which is a main form of government seen all around the world
Mrs. Sauter
World History/ Block G
12/6/14
Three Philosophes Throughout history up to present day, we witness many social contracts and forms of governments take shape, cause controversy, and influence many individuals and nations across the globe. A social contract can be described as an implicit agreement among members of society to cooperate for social benefits. There are many different forms of social contracts and governments; ranging from absolute monarchies to total democracies. Between 1651 and 1848 there were three influential philosophers who wrote ideal theories in term of social contracts: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Karl Marx. While Hobbes, Locke, and Marx all have valid reasons to support their claims for what …show more content…
is to confer all their power and strength upon one man, or upon one assembly of men...” – Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651. In the above quotation, Hobbes illustrates his belief that there should only be one power, a single monarch and/or monarchy running the state and citizens. This individual or group of people should be granted the power over all of man and to have absolute political authority on all decisions. Hobbes’s contract influenced many leaders and nations to follow this contract as well as sparking ideas of new thinkers to come. However, Hobbes’s quote and contract does indeed not make sense for the world in which we live in today because it is based on the idea that people are unable to take care of themselves. In reality, throughout history people have proven that they are able to take care of themselves. In addition, Hobbes’s idea will not work because it requires that all people lose their natural liberties, which has shown through history results in rebellion, emigration, and ultimately causes chaos for the government. Compared to other philosopher, Hobbes’s contract provides us with an overall improper way in which to run a stable government and …show more content…
He states: “The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but to have only the law of nature for his rule.” – John Locke, The Second Treatise of Civil Government, 1690. It is clear that Locke was a strong advocate for both individual as well as government power. Locke believed that there should be a balance between government and the people’s natural liberties. Furthermore, Locke believes that people are reasonable and moral; and as such they should be granted their rights to life, liberty, and property. He also stresses a form of government very different from that of Hobbes and Marx because he argues that a government with limited power is an ideal form of government. In particular, Locke’s contract was the most useful because it has the best application for the world in which we live in today. Lastly, Locke’s idea of government makes perfect sense for the world we live in today because in most cases all individuals are granted their own natural rights. By giving people the power to vote, it puts a limit on government powers, thereby creating a limited monarchy, which is a main form of government seen all around the world