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The Role Of Government In Voltaire's Candide

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The Enlightenment was a time period where there were many debates on how society should be ran and who should run said societies. Voltaire, a French Philosopher, wrote a book called Candide where he satirizes many political and social issues of the time. In Voltaire’s Candide, he critiques the role of government, the relationship of the nobles and citizens, and the failings of human nature when in power to underline the problems of aristocracy during the Enlightenment time period. There are many other Enlightenment philosophers that will be referenced to gain a better understanding of the role of government in reference to Voltaire’s critique. Does the need for government justify the many faults that have to be endured? Hobbes may argue that government is necessary, but that does not mean that every government in place is the best one possible. Hobbes states that without security outside of the self, “There is no place for industry…No account of Time; no Arts; no Letters; No Society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death.(21)” Hobbes is saying that governments stabilize people for the overall success of the society. If people are not organized and secure, then they will have no time for other things such as the arts and industry. The arts and industry push societies forward and allow for the overall moral of a …show more content…

A criticism by Voltaire in Candide shows this dynamic in the actions of the French and British governments. The character Martin comments on the insanity of the two countries because their governments are fighting a war over a small bit of area in Canada, but the war is costing them more than what all of Canada is worth. If the war costs more than the entire worth of Canada, these governments are acting on irrational principles, and not creating a secure environment, which becomes problematic for Hobbes’ ideal role of

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