Social Contract Theory Thomas Hobbes was born in

Social Contract Theory

Thomas Hobbes was born in England on 1588 English Civil War 1642 -1651. Violent conflict between the supporters of Monarchy and Parliament – over the Governance of England. Charles 1 was beheaded and monarchy was abolished. Internal situation of England became unstable and chaotic. With the fear to secure life Hobbes went to France

It was pre political, pre moral stage of Human Society. Hobbes wanted to put an end to the chaos and political instability of England. There was no state, no Government, no laws, no morality and no one to exercise power over men.

State of nature – Hobbes Every man was an enemy to other man.

Thomas Hobbes Theory of Social Contract Natural Civil Rights Right To evade the state of nature, and for securing their natural rights of life, liberty and property as civil rights, individuals entered into a social contract to establish a state. The people authorized their right of governing themselves to the sovereign, which came into being as a result of the contract. The person or assembly of persons to whom the rights are surrendered becomes the sovereign and the individuals who agree to submit to the authority become subjects. Sovereign here means the King. The ruler was not a party to the contract, and was not bound by any terms of social contract and free to rule as per his whims. The commands of the sovereign were laws for the governed and the sovereign was not accountable to people. People gave their ruler unquestioned obedience.

Explanation Civil rights are an essential component of democracy. They're guarantees of equal social opportunities and protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other characteristics. Examples are the rights to- vote, a fair trial, government services, property, liberty and public education. Natural rights are rights that believe it is important for all humans to have life which is natural law for us like - life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

Sovereign: King Absolute Power In the words of R. G Gettle, Hobbes created the all-powerful sovereign on account of his belief that without such sovereign power, law, order, peace and security could not be maintained in society. Hobbes deprived the people of their right to revolt against the sovereign. Hobbes allowed individuals to disobey the commands only when the sovereign deprived them of their right to self- preservation or the ruler got conquered and submitted authority to a new Emperor. According to Hobbes, a change in the government meant the dissolution of the State. Thus, he did not maintain the difference between state and government as a political institution.

Social Contract Theory People Natural Civil Rights Absolute Power – Ruler