The Impact of Classical Liberalism on International Politics
The classical liberal tradition has historically made significant contributions to international politics, and it still has an impact on contemporary political thinking and ideologies. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes are two of the most well-known founders of the classical liberal school of thought. Hobbes put a great emphasis on the centralization of power and upholding the law and order in his well-known book Leviathan. Although many people would assume that Hobbes' perspective sharply contrasts with John Locke's liberal ideas, there are various features of his writings that hint at his concern for classical liberalism.
For example, he proposes that the government should base its decisions on the consent of the governed. His ideas on individualism and equality also confirm his adherence to the ideals of liberalism. Locke's position on liberalism is clearer than Hobbes'. In Two Treatise of Government, he presents the features of a liberal government, including individual liberty and moral rights, equality, limited government regulations, and freedom. Therefore, both Locke and Hobbes are pro-liberalists who have positively influenced world politics until today because they emphasized on individual rights and freedom, equality, respect for law and order, and limited government interventions; hence promoting peace, unity, and cooperation that characterize democratic systems.
Hobbes' Ideas on Classical Liberty
Hobbes' ideas on classical liberty are envisaged in his writings about human nature, society, and liberty. Hobbes lived in the era of enlightenment and published Leviathan at the end of the English Civil War. The horrors of this war encouraged Hobbes to propose a central authoritarian government that exercises law and order to achieve peace and stability. However, he includes some elements of liberty in the political quest for peace and stability. This unstable period motivated him to think and write about human nature.
Human Nature and Self-interest
On the nature of humans, Hobbes asserts that human beings are controlled by selfish interests and desires for indulgence and self-preservation. He says, "They study more the reputation of their own wit than the success of another's business" (Hobbes 31). In this regard, most human beings participate in politics to serve their self-interests rather than serving the interests of the people they lead. Everyone seeks resources that sustain them and further pursues pleasurable situations and avoids harmful ones. Basically, human desires control people's behavior (Wilkins 85). Because resources are scarce and it is not possible to satisfy every human desire, conflicts ensue as everyone tries to control the available resources to benefit themselves and their families. Such conflicts make human life to be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" (Hobbes 78). Hobbes suggests that these issues can be resolved by setting laws that will control human action, but the lawmaking process should involve the people for whom the law is created. He suggests, "No more are the actions that proceed from those passions till they know a law that forbids them; which till laws be made they cannot know, nor can any law be made till they have agreed upon the person that shall make it" (p.78).
Liberal Tradition and Individualism
Hobbes also emphasizes the importance of a liberal tradition that is characterized by individualism, liberty, and equality. Because human nature dictates that everyone is against the interests of others, the individual must be prioritized over the state or the society. In this regard, the government and the rules should be formed with the consent of the governed. This idea is used in democratic countries such as the United States to create constitutions and promote equality and justice. Hobbes supports liberty as a means of promoting individual interests as a natural rule of nature. He expresses his idea of liberty in terms of "the absence of external impediments" (p.80). In this regard, a man enjoys liberty if he is free to do what he wants to do when and where he wants to, as long as he is able to do it. However, Hobbes views social contract as a way of protecting individuals from the actions of others rather than controlling their freedoms and rights.
John Locke's Perspective on Individual Rights and Freedom
John Locke provides a clear perspective on freedoms and rights of man as basic elements of the classical liberal paradigm. In his publication Two Treatises of Government, Locke expresses a strong defense for individual moral rights, including the right to property, as well as individual liberties and freedom. For example, the second treatise expresses the need for equal moral status of men and women (Arneson 528). Locke says, "Every one that is of his race will have an equal right" (Locke 101). Using examples of heirs in the bible, Locke suggested that everyone has the right to inherit or acquire property and enjoy its use thereof. For instance, Solomon had the right to inherit the throne from his father David. Locke also argued that the government is limited in powers, and every man should enjoy freedom and be free from any dominion. He asserts, "Being that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man" (p.127). Therefore, all men are free and equal before the law. Recognizing this fact breeds peace and unity.
Natural Freedom and Consent
Men live peacefully when they realize that they are naturally free, equal, and independent. Locke postulates that, "no one can be put out of this estate and subjected to the political power of another without his own consent" (p.146). For this reason, people agree with their free will to join a community where he unites with other members to enjoy a comfortable, safe, and peaceful environment; and use their properties and enjoy greater security. Therefore, freedom, equality, and liberty promote peaceful coexistence and reduce the chances of war. This characteristic of liberty is exemplified in modern democracies like the U.S. where people live peacefully by enjoying individual rights, respecting the law and the rights of others, and enjoying justice and fairness in all social perspectives.
The Social Contract and Limited Government
Locke also suggests that with whatever form of government in place, the people and the government should be tied by a social contract that requires the rulers to govern by the rules of law, which are created through the consent of the governed. The government should also be formed with the consent of the majority of the citizens. These characteristics are also common in democratic countries like the U.S. and U.K. where people vote peacefully for the people who will represent them in government, and the elected people govern by the laws and constitution created by the people's representatives, e.g. in the House of Commons (UK) or the Congress (USA). These forms of liberty are the key reasons for the political stability and peace experienced in such countries.
Criticisms of Locke and Hobbes
Despite the apparent contributions of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes to world politics through the classical liberal paradigm, they have received several criticisms. First, Hobbes is accused of mixing the elements of liberty and absolute monarchy. These two concepts contradict each other, and it is not possible for a monarchic government to exercise liberty while at the same time excising absolute power as experienced in autocratic governments (Straus 143). On the other hand, Locke is criticized for encouraging rich and powerful people to acquire and accumulate a lot of property; hence increasing rather than reducing inequality. Strauss (1953: 34) suggests that Locke's government protects the interests of capitalists at the expense of poor people; hence creating socioeconomic classes in which the low-class members cannot access resources or meet their basic needs. However, such criticisms fail to look at the bigger picture of the freedoms and liberties that have created peace through several generations since the treatises and the Leviathan.
Conclusion
John Locke and Thomas Hobbes are great contributors to liberty, freedom, equality, and peace. Despite a few criticisms of their approaches, Locke and Hobbes have positively influenced world politics until today because they emphasized individual rights and freedom, equality, respect for law and order, and limited government interventions. These characteristics of a properly functioning government promote peace, unity, and cooperation that characterize democratic systems across the world today. The U.S. and the U.K. provide room for individual opportunities through freedom and liberty. Citizens of these countries participate in decision-making through policy participation, voting, and exercising individual rights. There are freedoms of worship, speech, and movement; giving people an opportunity to meet their interests and respect the rights of others through the rule of law. As a result, people live peacefully in communities where people respect each other's rights and freedoms as suggested by Locke and Hobbes.
Works Cited
Arneson, Richard J. Locke and the Liberal Tradition. In Stuart, Matthew. A Companion to Locke. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2016. Print.
Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Green Dragon, McMaster University Archive, 1951. Print.
Locke, John. Two Treatises of Government. London: Thomas Tegg; W. Sharpe and Son, McMaster University Archive, 1823. Print.
Strauss, Leo. Natural Right and History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1953.
Wilkins, Katelyn. Hobbesian Liberalism: A Study of Proto-Liberal Ideas in Leviathan. CLA Journal, 2 (2014), pp. 84-96.
