Enlightenment Disparity: Hobbes v. Locke

While many might assume that all Enlightenment thinkers supported natural rights and republicanism or democracy, this is not the case. All authors are shaped by the world historical context, and Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are no exception to that rule. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was mostly concerned with the problem of social and political order, notably how people can live together peacefully and avoid conflict, seeing humans as innately war-prone and the state of nature one of perpetual discord. Hobbes supported the notion of absolute monarchy as providing stability and denounced the right to rebellion. His writings were shaped by the English Civil War, where society was divided religiously, economically, and by region. On the other hand, John Locke (1632-1704) offered a different view of human nature and legitimacy in government. In his Two Treatises on Government, Locke rejected divine right to monarchy in favor of a republican or democratic form of government upheld by the people. He claimed that although in the statue of nature people are constantly threatened by harm and war, they willingly come together and renounce some of their own natural rights to a sovereign for the greater good: protection from physical harm, security of possessions, and ability to cooperate in a stable society.


Thomas Hobbes /
John Locke
  1. Absolute Monarch
  2. People are born with rights they relinquish to the monarch in return for protection. This is known as the social contract.
  3. Believed people were wicked, selfish, and cruel, and would act on behalf of their best interests.
  4. People could not be trusted to govern themselves. An absolute monarch would demand obedience to maintain order.
  5. Purpose of government = maintain law and order
  6. Because people had no say in their government, they could do nothing if the monarch was abusive
/
  1. Democracy
  2. All people are born with inalienable rights: life, liberty, and right to own property
  3. Believed that people were by nature good and could learn from their experiences
  4. People can be trusted to govern themselves if provided with the right information and make good decisions
  5. Purpose of government = protect individual liberties and rights
  6. People have right to revolt against an abusive government

Short Answer Questions

  1. To what extent were the philosophies of Hobbes and Locke similar?
  2. In what areas were Hobbes and Locke very different?
  3. Why were the ideas of Hobbes and Locke so different? Use the term ‘world historical context’ in your answer.

Key Concept 5.3: Nationalism, Revolution, and ReformAP World History