Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were two social contract theorists, and natural law theorists, whose views on government were very different. Hobbes believed in the power of the ruler, and he believed that society could not function without the power of the state. Hobbes believed in an absolutist government. Hobbes argued that people were driven by two things: the desire for power and the fear of death at someone else’s hands (Sayre, 2012). He believes that it was the role of the government that would keep these instincts in line.
He describes government in such a way that nearly, but not entirely, advocates anarchy. Paine calls government, “even in its best state [a] necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one;” (6). He attempts to predispose the reader’s mind to new ideas of government, namely one that involves American independence from England. Paine accomplishes this through an ideal definition and concept of government. He describes the purposes of government such as protection of property and citizens.
This means it exercises absolute and unrestricted power whilst being funded by the public, furthermore all its decisions are binding on the citizens and it can use coercive power to make sure its laws are obeyed and people who do disobey the laws are punished. One interpretation of the state with says that coercion is an essential characteristic of the state is totalitarian states. This interpretation of the state argues for a state with all embracing control spreading throughout all aspects of an individual’s life. The state would control the economy, education, culture, religion and family life. There would be surveillance and terroristic policing to control people’s lives.
Government has its origins in the evil of man and is therefore a necessary evil at best.” He goes on to say that “government's sole purpose is to protect life, liberty and property, and that a government should be judged solely on the basis of the extent to which it accomplishes this goal.” Basically, Paine is stating to the common people that they have the opportunity to form their own representation of government and do it in a way that truly represents their wants and needs. He is also knocking the form of government the British have and elaborating on why they need to separate due to their own needs for America. Paine would later go into more depth of the style of government Great Britain rules with. The second and perhaps most important key point Paine was trying to explain was the Monarchy rule
It is undeniable that there are a number of parallels between the protagonists of both Orwell’s ‘1984’ and the Wachowski brothers’ ‘The Matrix’. For instance, Neo and Winston Smith both, at one point in their lives, ascertain that something is ‘not right’ in the world they live in. Once this realisation has occurred, existentialist ideologies surface and the true motives of each protagonist are revealed, they are rebel figures, intent on opposing the government and
Thoreau Encouraged Individualism and Lived by His Own Advice Thoreau presents the idea of individualism in his essays “Civil Disobedience” and “Where I Lived and What I Lived For”. He presents the idea that as individuals we cannot allow the government or the rest of society direct and determine how our lives are lived. He also discusses avoiding minor trivial details and superficial ideas that complicate our lives. Thoreau’s essays allow us to reflect on our own life, to see how truly individual we are and how components of our life affect us and our way of living. Thoreau accuses society for being responsible for consuming the identity of people by preoccupying them with small details and of life, such as the government unjustly using people because they do not know anything different than to obey and conform.
Locke stands firm in the belief that people can incite a revolution against their government when it begins to work against what is in the best interest of the populace (Locke, p. 112). He places limits on these actions - such as what a conqueror is entitled to and what would justify as tyrannical behavior - but still justifies the right to instigate a shift political power. On the other hand, Hobbes finds private discourse against one’s sovereign to a disease (p. 197). He finds contempt in the populace under the sovereign, noting that most of were incapable of understanding the inner mechanisms powering the sovereign (p. 207). By deeming the collective population incompetent and likening their anti-governmental chatter to a plague, it is not a reach to assume Hobbes would not prescribe a right to revolution.
The writers start off by appealing to his audience through ethos, and then later switches to logos. They begin the text by stating what a true government should be and the values it should hold. They go from sharing their views on what the idealistic, moralistic idea of what a government should do, to stating facts about how their current government has transgressed and oppressed them. This section of the Declaration is known as the grievances, and it lists all the wrong doings of the King of Britain on them and they make their plan to abolish his rule over them known. Through this they convey the idea that if a current government is not function as it should, it should be done away with and replaced.
By making sure everyone is treated fairly and honestly he would be able to create a common vision and bring out the best in everyone. By being the president of the United States it’s crucial that the leader will protect all of the citizens from harm from anyone who may try to harm their country. In Julius Caesar, Brutus faced two problems to choose between: Rome or the death of his beloved friend, Julius
In this paper I will analytically examine Thrasymachus’ stance and use critical thought to support his valid claims while rejecting those which lack validity within Thrasymachus’ own definition of justice. Thrasymachus opens with the fairly pessimistic claim that justice or “what is right” is the advantage of the stronger. (Plato, 18) Governments use their power solely to enact laws that benefit themselves and those whom are under their direct influence – a tyrannical government puts into place authoritarian and brutal laws, a democratic government abides by libertarian and just laws, and et cetera. Failing to follow these rules laid out by the domineering government will label you as a wrongdoer and traitor to the state. This is because the ruling class only want to benefit their own selfish causes.