Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is best known for his influential work, Leviathan (1651), where he provides a detailed theory of human nature, the state, and political authority. Hobbes’ views on the role and powers of the sovereign are foundational to the development of modern political philosophy, especially with respect to theories of absolute monarchy and social contract theory.
According to Hobbes, the state of nature—the hypothetical condition in which human beings existed before the formation of organized society—was a state of constant conflict, driven by the selfish desires and passions of individuals. In this state, there was no authority to enforce laws, leading to a condition Hobbes famously described as a state where life was “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” To escape this chaotic and dangerous existence, individuals consented to form a social contract, creating a sovereign authority to maintain peace and order.
1. The Rights of the Sovereign
Hobbes argues that in order for the sovereign to effectively maintain peace and order, the sovereign must be granted absolute power. The rights of the sovereign, according to Hobbes, are extensive and inviolable. These rights are a direct result of the social contract that individuals enter into. In exchange for the protection of their lives, individuals give up their natural rights to everything except their own preservation and submit to the absolute authority of the sovereign.
The primary rights of the sovereign, as outlined by Hobbes, are:
- The Right to Make Laws: The sovereign holds the exclusive power to establish and enforce laws. Hobbes argues that law is essential for peace and security, and the sovereign is the ultimate authority in determining what is just or unjust. No other individual or group can challenge the sovereign’s laws.
- The Right to Command: The sovereign has the right to issue commands and orders that all citizens must obey. This includes directing military actions, taxation, public policies, and all aspects of governance. The sovereign must be able to ensure compliance, and its authority is supreme.
- The Right to Levy Taxes: To maintain the state and provide for the common defense and welfare, the sovereign has the right to collect taxes. This is necessary for the upkeep of the state apparatus, including the military, law enforcement, and other administrative functions.
- The Right to Control the Military: The sovereign must have control over the military and the means of defense. Hobbes viewed the military as essential to preserving peace and deterring external threats. The sovereign’s control over the military ensures the protection of the state and its citizens.
- The Right to Punish: The sovereign holds the right to punish those who break the law, ensuring that there are consequences for unlawful behavior. This power is crucial for maintaining order and deterrence against criminal activity.
2. The Duties of the Sovereign
While the sovereign holds absolute power, Hobbes does not grant this authority without obligations. According to Hobbes, the sovereign has specific duties to the people that are critical to the stability and legitimacy of their rule. The sovereign’s primary duty is to ensure the peace and security of the state and its citizens.
Key duties of the sovereign include:
- Protection of Life and Property: The most fundamental duty of the sovereign is to protect the citizens from external and internal threats. This protection extends to individuals’ lives and property, which Hobbes considered the basic rights that people retain after entering into the social contract. If the sovereign fails to protect these fundamental rights, the legitimacy of their rule could be called into question.
- Provision of Justice: The sovereign must ensure that laws are enforced and that justice is upheld. This includes the impartial application of laws and the resolution of disputes. Hobbes emphasizes that a stable society requires a legal system that citizens trust to maintain order.
- Promotion of Peace: Beyond the enforcement of laws, the sovereign is tasked with maintaining a stable and peaceful society. This includes managing conflicts between individuals or groups, ensuring there is no civil unrest, and upholding a general sense of order.
- Economic Welfare: While Hobbes does not focus as much on economic welfare as later political philosophers do, the sovereign is implicitly expected to ensure that economic activity is protected and that the common good is preserved. In practice, this means protecting trade, preventing robbery or piracy, and ensuring that individuals can live without fear of economic exploitation.
3. The Sovereign’s Absolute Authority and Its Limitations
Hobbes famously argued that the authority of the sovereign must be absolute, meaning that the sovereign cannot be challenged or overthrown by the people once the social contract has been established. In his view, the sovereign is not bound by the laws of the social contract, as their role is to enforce those laws. For Hobbes, the stability of the state depends on the sovereignty being uncontested, and any challenge to the sovereign’s authority would lead back to the chaotic state of nature.
However, Hobbes also recognized that if the sovereign fails to uphold the social contract, it could undermine the legitimacy of their rule. For instance, if the sovereign violates the contract by failing to provide protection or by ruling tyrannically, the people have a right to resist in the sense that they can leave the society or form a new one, but not in a way that would directly challenge the authority of the sovereign. For Hobbes, the people’s obedience is conditional upon the sovereign providing peace and security. Once the social contract is broken, the state could revert to the law of nature, but Hobbes insisted that resistance must be limited and not lead to anarchy.
4. The Limits of Sovereignty: The Right to Rebellion
Hobbes presents a complex view on rebellion. On the one hand, the sovereign’s authority is absolute and must not be contested. On the other hand, the sovereign’s legitimacy is rooted in their ability to provide for the welfare and safety of the people. If the sovereign becomes tyrannical, fails to maintain peace, or acts against the interests of society, Hobbes suggests that the citizens may, in theory, form a new social contract to establish a more just authority.
However, Hobbes is clear that the right to rebellion is not unqualified. In Leviathan, he argues that individuals cannot justly rise against the sovereign’s authority except in extreme cases where the sovereign’s actions endanger their very existence. Rebellion, under Hobbes’ framework, is viewed as a risky and potentially destructive action that might lead to the return of the chaos of the state of nature.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, Hobbes’ theory of sovereignty in Leviathan emphasizes the need for absolute authority to maintain peace, security, and order in society. The sovereign’s rights are expansive, including the power to make laws, levy taxes, control the military, and punish wrongdoers. However, the sovereign’s authority is not without responsibility. The sovereign’s primary duty is to protect the life, property, and welfare of the people. If the sovereign fails in these duties, the legitimacy of their rule could be questioned, though Hobbes remains cautious about the right of citizens to rebel. The sovereign must maintain order to avoid the return of the violence and anarchy of the state of nature.
Hobbes’ theory of sovereignty thus presents a foundational understanding of absolute power in political theory, while also recognizing that such power is contingent upon the protection and well-being of the people it governs.
Leave a Reply