A government is a system of institutions and practices that are put in place to manage and regulate the affairs of a state or community. Governments are responsible for maintaining order, protecting citizens and their property, and providing for the common good. They also play a key role in shaping the policies and laws that govern society and ensure that the needs and interests of the people are taken into account.
There are many different forms of government, including democracy, monarchy, dictatorship, and communism. The form of government that a country has can have a major impact on the rights and freedoms of its citizens, as well as the level of prosperity and stability of the nation.
In a democracy, the people have a say in how they are governed through the process of elections. Elected officials, such as presidents and legislators, are responsible for making decisions on behalf of the people. In a monarchy, power is held by a single person, typically a king or queen, who inherits their position through birthright. In a dictatorship, one person or a small group holds complete control over the government and makes all decisions without input from the people. And in a communist government, the state owns and controls the means of production and distribution, and there is no private property.
Governments also have various branches, each with its own specific responsibilities. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws and policies, the judicial branch interprets the laws and resolves disputes, and the legislative branch makes and passes laws. These branches work together to ensure that the government operates effectively and efficiently, and that the rights and freedoms of citizens are protected.
Overall, the role of government is to provide for the common good and ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. It does this by creating and enforcing laws, providing public services, and working to promote the prosperity and stability of the nation.
Leviathan Book II: Chapters 17
A law of nature is valid if it conforms to this general rule: "Do not that to another, which thou wouldst not have done to thy selfe. This ideology is a core component of any functioning democracy. As Hobbes will later argue, one gets better advice through secret counsel, since one is not apt to use rhetorical tricks or generally perform in front of the pubic at the expense at truth. And commonly they that live under a Monarch, think it the fault of Monarchy; and they that live under the government of Democracy, or other Soveraign Assembly, attribute all the inconvenience to that forme of Common-wealth; whereas the Power in all formes, if they be perfect enough to protect them, is the same; not considering that the estate of Man can never be without some incommodity or other; and that the greatest, that in any forme of Government can possibly happen to the people in generall, is scarce sensible, in respect of the miseries, and horrible calamities, that accompany a Civill Warre; or that dissolute condition of masterlesse men, without subjection to Lawes, and a coercive Power to tye their hands from rapine, and revenge: nor considering that the greatest pressure of Soveraign Governours, proceedeth not from any delight, or profit they can expect in the dammage, or weakening of their subjects, in whose vigor, consisteth their own selves, that unwillingly contributing to their own defence, make it necessary for their Governours to draw from them what they can in time of Peace, that they may have means on any emergent occasion, or sudden need, to resist, or take advantage on their Enemies. In this regard, he sees a monarchy as the most efficient because a single monarch can streamline the decision-making process, whether in appointing counselors, making policy, or choosing a successor. As it is in the nature of all humans to be in constant motion, it is impossible to say that all the same sorts of things are always loved or hated.
On the other hand, people can have an aversion based on what they know and what they do not know. What follows from this definition of freedom is that fear and liberty can coexist. To do so would be analogous to committing suicide, since this would be to act against the self-preservation of the artificial man that is the sovereign, and would also send the subjects back to a state of war. Additionally, the second amendment states that a regulated army is crucial to the security of a free nation which agrees with Hobbes perceptions about self-defense. Such a law affirms human self-preservation and condemns acts destructive to human life.
The only exception is the right to self-preservation, since that can never be given up completely, and was the initial reason for establishing the commonwealth. Similarly, despotical dominion is not automatic, and those who are conquered in a war do not become subjects of the commonwealth by virtue of being vanquished. Book II: Of Common-Wealth Chapter 17: Of the Causes, Generation, and Definition of a Common-wealth Chapter 18: Of the Rights of Soveraignes by Institution Chapter 19: Of the severall Kinds of Common-wealth by Institution, and of Succession to the Soveraigne Power Summary Although the laws of nature require that human beings seek peace, and maintain that the establishment of contracts is the best means of doing so, the natural human hunger for power always threatens the safety of the contract. Thus, to say a covenant is illegitimate due to the mere presence of fear makes both forms of all forms commonwealth impossible. With all that has been said about the power of the sovereign, what liberties do the subjects enjoy? They agree to the terms of the covenant to avoid being killed or enslaved. He also defines curiosity, which is the desire to know something, and fear, which is like aversion, only it involves the distress of being hurt or harmed by something. Thus, the rights and duties of the sovereign are equal whether the commonwealth be established through acquisition or institution.
Liberty, according to Hobbes, is "the absence of Opposition; by Opposition, I mean external Impediments of motion ," and a free man"is he, that in doing those things, which by his strength and wit he is able to do, is not hindred to doe what he has a will to do. For Hobbes a democracy is the worst of all possible options, whereas for Locke and Rousseau a democracy is not only the best option, but the most just. For by this authority, given him by every particular man in the Commonwealth, he hath the use of so much power and strength conferred on him that, by terror thereof, he is enabled to form the wills of them all, to peace at home, and mutual aid against their enemies abroad. Hobbes goes on to define several other passions, including joy, pain, grief, anger, confidence, and kindness. A summary of Part X Section5 in Thomas Hobbess Leviathan. Of a commonwealth by institution, there are three and only 3 different forms the commonwealth can take: 1 monarchy, where the sovereign is one natural person; 2 democracy, where the sovereign is a popular assembly drawn from all natural persons; and 3 aristocracy, where the sovereign is an assembly or body drawn up from select natural persons. For before constitution of Soveraign Power as hath already been shewn all men had right to all things; which necessarily causeth Warre: and therefore this Proprietie, being necessary to Peace, and depending on Soveraign Power, is the Act of the Power, in order to the publique peace.
Leviathan Chapter 6: Of the Interiour Beginnings of Voluntary Motions; commonly called the PASSIONS. And the Speeches by which they are expressed. Summary & Analysis
Lastly, in a monarchy there is no infighting or warring factions caused by envy, self-interest, or any other human imperfections. One, by Naturall force; as when a man maketh his children, to submit themselves, and their children to his government, as being able to destroy them if they refuse, or by Warre subdueth his enemies to his will, giving them their lives on that condition. The third law of nature states that it is not enough simply to make contracts, but that we are required to keep the contracts we make. As life is in constant motion, one can never expect to be without appetite or aversion. Since the monarch is one person and humans are not perfectly consistent, the commonwealth changes only as human nature dictates. The fifth law states that we must be accommodating to others for the purpose of protecting the contract and not quarrel over minor issues lest the contract collapse. Fourthly, that these creatures, though they have some use of voice, in making knowne to one another their desires, and other affections; yet they want that art of words, by which some men can represent to others, that which is Good, in the likenesse of Evill; and Evill, in the likenesse of Good; and augment, or diminish the apparent greatnesse of Good and Evill; discontenting men, and troubling their Peace at their pleasure.
For if we could suppose a great Multitude of men to consent in the observation of Justice, and other Lawes of Nature, without a common Power to keep them all in awe; we might as well suppose all Man-kind to do the same; and then there neither would be nor need to be any Civill Government, or Common-wealth at all; because there would be Peace without subjection. People created common-wealths to establish a central power and halt the state of war that is nature. In these chapters Hobbes considers an objection to his argument about the necessity of a commonwealth. None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me? Soveraigne, And Subject, What And he that carryeth this Person, as called SOVERAIGNE, and said to have Soveraigne Power; and every one besides, his SUBJECT. Works Cited Bennett, Linda L.
Hobbes' Leviathan (1651) Chapter 17: Of the Causes, Generation, and Definition of a Commonwealth
But man, whose joy consisteth in comparing himself with other men, can relish nothing but what is eminent. Thus, when a common-wealth is conquered by another more powerful common-wealth, it is not a common-wealth by acquisition—unless, of course, one willingly submits to the invading power and consents to hand over their power and become a subject. What Soever The Soveraigne Doth, Is Unpunishable By The Subject Fiftly, and consequently to that which was sayd last, no man that hath Soveraigne power can justly be put to death, or otherwise in any manner by his Subjects punished. Leviathan Part 2 Chapters 17 19 Summary Course Hero The first modern philosopher to articulate a detailed contract theory was Thomas Hobbes 15881679. And That Continually Nor is it enough for the security, which men desire should last all the time of their life, that they be governed, and directed by one judgement, for a limited time; as in one Battell, or one Warre.
And in all places, where men have lived by small Families, to robbe and spoyle one another, has been a Trade, and so farre from being reputed against the Law of Nature, that the greater spoyles they gained, the greater was their honour; and men observed no other Lawes therein, but the Lawes of Honour; that is, to abstain from cruelty, leaving to men their lives, and instruments of husbandry. This is the Generation of that great LEVIATHAN, or rather to speake more reverently of that Mortall God, to which wee owe under the Immortall God, our peace and defence. Thus, whatever sort of thing causes appetite is said to be good, and whatever sort of thing causes aversion is said to be evil. Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes Summary Quotes Analysis Video Lesson Transcript Study Com Hebrews 2 14 15 Commentary Precept Austin Chapter 17 Leviathan Hebrews 2 14 15 Commentary Precept Austin Leviathan Chapter 16 Of Persons Authors And Things Personated Summary Analysis Litcharts Leviathan Or The Matter Forme And Power Of A Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall And Civil Books Iii And Iv Thomas Hobbes Free Download Borrow And Streaming Internet Archive Pdf Exegesis Of Digital Divide Shikha Gupta Academia Edu Bibliographies Visions Of Politics The English Works Vol Iii Leviathan Online Library Of Liberty Thomas Hobbes Biography Philosophy Beliefs Leviathan Legacy Facts Britannica Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Part 2 Ch 17 19 Know It All To Know Nothing The Notebook Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes Part 2 Chapters 17 19 Of Commonwealth Youtube Leviathan Book Ii Chapters 17 21 Summary And Analysis Gradesaver Pdf Sectionnavigation Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Summary And Analysis Of Course Hero Leviathan Xvii Thomas Hobbes Carver Associates Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes Study Guide Apk Pour Android Telecharger Leviathan Book Ii Chapters 17 21 Summary And Analysis Gradesaver Pdf Sectionnavigation Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Summary And Analysis Of Course Hero The English Works Vol Iii Leviathan Online Library Of Liberty. Book I Chapter 14: Of the first and second Naturall Lawes, and of Contracts Chapter 15: Of other Lawes of Nature Chapter 16: Of Persons, Authors, and things Personated Summary A "Law of Nature" is a general rule that is discovered through reason. Therefore, pleasure is similar to the promise of good, whereas displeasure is the promise of evil.
The sovereign also has the right to require certain subjects to punish other subjects for transgressing the law. Unlike other authors, Hobbes departs from the philosophy of contract theorists such as Rousseau and Locke, who firmly argued for the creation of monarchies. But man, whose Joy consisteth in comparing himselfe with other men, can relish nothing but what is eminent. Summary The natural laws Because humans are unable to agree to act justly in a state of complete freedom, they recognize the necessity for a common power to ensure their observance of the natural laws that will provide a safe and peaceful life. Since the Laws of Nature cannot be followed without the creation of some central power to compel people to honor covenants, people have joined together to live in common-wealths. One kind includes motions that are vital, like the course of blood and breathing, which are not dependent upon imagination. In the US government, this principle is first cited in the Declaration of Independence that all men have a right to liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness.
His preference for a streamlined monarchy over more complex types of commonwealth seems rooted in this desire. The laws of nature themselves are not enough to keep people in order. Source: Thomas Hobbes, This work is in the Public Domain. Not only this, when but sovereignty by acquisition is established after conquering lands, those who are conquered do in fact have a choice as to whether they agree to the terms of the covenant. First, since humans will always choose the private over the public good, the best way to ensure peace when choosing a sovereign is to have these united. But it hath already been shown, that not onely the whole Militia, or forces of the Common-wealth; but also the Judicature of all Controversies, is annexed to the Soveraignty.
