The document compares the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Hobbes believed humans in a state of nature are selfish and motivated by self-interest, requiring an absolute monarchy to maintain order. Locke viewed humans as having natural rights of life, liberty, and property, and that government exists by the consent of the governed to protect these rights, allowing revolt if the government violates them. The document outlines their differing views on the role and motivation of government.

1. LOCKE VS HOBBES –
ON THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
Thomas Hobbes
1588 – 1678
England
John Locke
1632 - 1704
England

2. LOCKE VS HOBBES
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Two Treatises on
Government
(1690)
Leviathan (1651)

3. LOCKE VS HOBBES
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The Glorious Revolution
(bloodless)
A positive version of Hobbes
Wrote to justify the Glorious
Revolution
Justify removal of James II
Depressed about the
beheading of Charles I in the
English Civil War (1649)
He speculated about the
nature of government and
man

4. LOCKE VS HOBBES
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With a “clean slate”
Free and equal with 3
natural rights: (from God)
Life, Liberty, Property
(influences Jefferson)
Selfish –
Humans are motivated by
self- interest and the
quest for power
Natural law is kill or be
killed

5. LOCKE VS HOBBES
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“All mankind... being all
equal and independent,
no one ought to harm
another in his life,
health, liberty or
possessions.”
“Without government, life
would be solitary, poor,
nasty, brutish, and short.”

6. LOCKE VS HOBBES
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G
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Government exists by
consent of the governed
People agree to be
governed if government
protects 3 natural rights
People can break the
contract (revolt) if gov’t
violates rights.
Humans need an absolute
monarchy to keep order

7. LOCKE VS HOBBES
R
O
L
E
O
F
G
O
V
T
Government exists by
consent of the governed
People agree to be
governed if government
protects 3 natural rights
People can break the
contract (revolt) if gov’t
violates rights.
Humans need an absolute
monarchy to keep order