Notes on Hobbes' Political Philosophy

Chapter XXIII: Of the Public Ministers of Sovereign Power

  • Public Ministers Defined

    • A person who holds a position as a public minister represents the sovereign in their role, and functions like an essential organ within a body politic (i.e., "an eye in the body natural").

    • Ear of the Public: Individuals tasked with receiving information from the public act as the ears of the sovereign.

  • Councillors and State Councils

    • A councillor or council of state without judicial power or command is not deemed a public minister. Their role is limited to advising the sovereign.

    • Councils in various forms of government:

    • In a monarchy, councils represent the monarch to public ministers by relaying commands.

    • In democracies, councils or senates communicate decisions to the populace.

    • In aristocracies, councils of state act solely for themselves, providing counsel only among their members.

Chapter XXIV: Of the Nutrition and Procreation of a Commonwealth

  • Nutrition of a Commonwealth

    • Defined as the abundance and distribution of life-sustaining materials.

    • This involves:

    • Concoction (Preparation): The processing of materials to make them fit for public use.

    • Convenient Conduits: The systems employed to distribute these resources to the public.

  • Availability of Nutritional Resources

    • The availability of commodities is limited to those naturally provided by land and sea, which humanity can either acquire freely or purchase through labor.

    • Labor and Industry: The abundance of resources greatly depends upon human labor and industriousness, as these are significant contributors to creating and sustaining wealth.

  • Commodities

    • Divided into two categories:

    • Native Commodities: Resources obtained within the territory of a commonwealth.

    • Foreign Commodities: Resources imported from outside the commonwealth.

  • Trade and Commerce

    • Common wealths can grow, even with limited land, by trading and utilizing manufactured goods and labor effectively.

    • Exchange and Warfare: Importation can occur through trade or as a result of justifiable warfare.

  • Distribution of Resources

    • Propriety (ownership) is managed according to laws established by the sovereign, representing the commonwealth.

    • Without a commonwealth, the concept of ownership leads to chaos, and every man would be in perpetual conflict over resources.

  • Cicero's Perspective

    • Cicero emphasizes the necessity of civil law in securing property rights, stating that without it, no one can claim certainty over ancestral property or inheritance.

  • Sovereign Power and Propriety

    • Propriety includes rights to exclude others from using resources while still being subject to the sovereign’s authority.

    • Distribution decisions on land and resources must align with the common good as judged by the sovereign, not individual subjects.

  • Historical Example

    • The biblical division of land among the children of Israel demonstrates a sovereign's role in distributing land based on collective equity, governed by leaders like Eleazar and Joshua.

  • Sovereign Authority Over Distribution

    • The sovereign retains the power to designate how land is divided to ensure peace and order, having authority over property rights and distribution.

  • Propriety Rights Explained

    • Subject ownership includes rights to exclude other subjects, but not the sovereign authority.

  • Maritime and Land Resources

    • Human passions and the ineffectiveness of individual discretion can lead to turmoil, highlighting the need for sovereign oversight.

  • Public Land and Revenue

    • The commonwealth, represented by its leaders, must stretch public resources to sustain itself and its endeavors, especially in defense and wealth distribution.

    • Assigning land for public use often leads to potential conflicts and exploitation of resources.

  • Sovereign's Role in Trade

    • The sovereign regulates foreign trade, preventing private individuals from trading in ways that might harm the commonwealth's interests or safety.

  • Contractual Authority

    • Sovereign power extends to setting laws and regulations for contracts, thereby establishing validity and ensuring mutual exchange among subjects.

  • Concoction and Commodification

    • Concoction refers to converting resources into a universally accepted medium (usually gold or silver) for trade, thus facilitating the mobility and exchange of goods.

    • Such a conversion aids in maintaining a robust economy by allowing goods to circulate effectively among the populace.

  • Sovereign Control of Currency

    • The value of gold and silver remains stable and unaffected by individual commonwealths, unlike other forms of currency that can fluctuate based on laws and local governance.

  • Flow of Resources

    • The economic system consists of conduits that collect public wealth and redistribute it for various payments and governmental functions.

    • This framework mirrors the biological circulation system within a body, ensuring each part receives necessary sustenance.

  • Procreation of a Commonwealth

    • Defined as the establishment of colonies, or plantations, consisting of groups sent from a commonwealth to inhabit foreign lands, sometimes left vacant or vacated due to conflicts.

    • Colonies can either function independently of the mother commonwealth or maintain ties, as exemplified by Roman colonies.