Conservative Thinkers - Thomas Hobbs

what type of conservative was hobbes

traditional conservative

main conservative ideas

considered to be one of englands most important political thinkers, wrote ‘leviathan’ in 1651, which argued for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign 

main ideas

an ordered society should balance the human need to lead a free life, humans are needy, vulnerable and easily led astray in attempts to learn about the world around them

what is hobbes’ view on human nature

cynical about human nature, viewed humans as needy and vulnerable, they are driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security, mankind is fallible

what did hobbes mean by ‘state of nature’

society before the existence of the state was a violent place where humans were in never ending conflict as they pursued selfish desires

what is hobbes’ view on human nature

the state arises ‘contractually’ from individuals who seek order and security, the state must be autocratic, argued that government is established by the consent of the people, without a strong state, life would become ‘nasty, brutish and short’

what is hobbes’ view on society

there can be no ‘society’ until the creation of a state brings order and authority to human affaires, without an autocratic authoritarian state, there could be no civil society

what is hobbes’ view on the economy

constructing and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security

what is hobbes’ idea of the ‘social contract’

citizens give up their freedom to an absolute sovereign power in exchange for security and order