Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were philosophers who had a significant influence on the origin and development of the American constitutional democracy. The two philosophers agreed on several matters concerning human nature and the need for a government. However, they had different opinions concerning people’s ability to rule them (Parry). Several American founders who understood the two philosophers’ perspective supported John Locke.
Locke believed that men had been granted natural rights, the authority of the rulers should be extracted from the consent of the subjects and that the subjects had the right to get rid of governments that failed to respect their rights. Hobbes had a negative perspective towards human nature while Locke’s view was mainly positive. The English civil war primarily influenced Hobbes' view of the world (Bowie). As a result, he believed that humankind’s nature is in a state of war with each other.
He believed that human is selfish and brutal. He thinks that the best way out of this state is for them to agree to be ruled and governed. He supported a monarchical government in which the rulers had supreme authority (Bowie). In this way, he believed that humanity’s nature would be undermined thus forming a societal order. On the other hand, Locke’s perspective was influenced by the overthrowing of King James II following the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
He came up with a philosophy which stated that human nature is made up of human freedom and equality (Parry). His law of nature noted that all created beings should obey their creator. However, some people do not follow this law, and as a result, the government is required. He states that people give the government the power to rule them through a social contract that was created voluntarily. In this way, they can be able to protect their properties, their rights, and liberty.
Works cited
Parry, Geraint. John Locke. Routledge, 2013.
Bowie, John. Hobbes and His Critics: A Study in Seventeenth Century Constitutionalism. Routledge, 2013.
