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Similarities Between Locke And Hobbes

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When comparing the political views of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, it is evident that both believe that a government is necessary to maintain order. However, they differ in the form of government needed. In The Second Treatise of Government written by Locke, he supports a commonwealth where the people consent to be governed and the government enacts laws the people abide by. Comparatively, Hobbes in The Leviathan, advocates for a government ruled by a king who holds absolute power to keep the people in awe. These two men also differ in their views of man's state of nature; Hobbes believes men are naturally in a state of war while Locke thinks men are naturally free and peaceful.
Hobbes emphasizes the idea that men, without a "common power …show more content…

He believes we need a form of government where men are under no power other than that of the commonwealth's laws. Additionally, men must agree to let the commonwealth govern them, and have a common rule to live by created by this government that is equal among all. He emphasizes the idea of consent to be governed which comes from "agreeing with other men to join and unite into a community for their comfortable, safe, and peaceable living" (Locke The Second Treatise of Government). This community then agrees to become a body politic in which everyone agrees to live under one government where the majority allows the government to enact laws. This government is beneficial because it protects the preservation of property and freedom. Unlike Hobbes who supports absolute power, Locke believes that if anyone ever tries to subdue another man and place him under his absolute power, he is now in a state of war with them. It is ironic when you look at the differences between the two, because in Hobbes' eyes gaining an absolute ruler brings peace, but to Locke it brings war. To Locke, "One may destroy a man who makes war upon him" (Locke), and if going to war with someone means putting them under absolute power, then men have the right to defend themselves against an absolute ruler. Additionally, Locke differs in how he views

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