Introduction to Politics and Lecture 5

Government PA-1102
Content
Thomas Hobbes:
Human Nature, The
State of Nature, Views
of the Sovereign & The
Social Contract

Jean Jacques
John Locke: Human
Rousseau: Human
Nature, The State of
Nature, The State of
Nature, Views of the
Nature, Views of the
Sovereign & The Social
Sovereign & The Social
Contract
Contract
 At the end of the session, learners will be able
to-
• Understand the ideas of Hobbes, Locke and
Lesson Rousseau concerning the state of nature,
human nature and the Sovereign.
Outcome • Compare and contrast the Social Contract
theory of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau
• Analyze theory of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau
in the context of Bangladesh.
Learning Strategy

Lecture, Q/A

Group Work
Self Study
and

Homework
A: State of Nature

Human is social being

Dependency on Nature

Hunting, managing food and

wearing bark/peel
B: The Sovereign

The legitimate head of

the country/ state after
the social contract
• A person or group of persons
such as a monarch or a
government.
• The people representing them.
C: The Social Contract
An
Agreement Members of the community
between
( Creation of the Society)

members of the community

and the sovereign (Formation
of the government)
Criticism

This theory can be criticized from

different perspectives as below:
• Unhistorical
• Illogical
• Wrong progress of mankind
• Invalid
• bad philosophy
• Artificial
• Far from reality
 View on Human Nature:
Hobbes, Locke & Rousseau
Humans are…..
 • Hobbes:
Humans are selfish by nature and
must be controlled.
Cont..
• Locke:
Humans are rational and can by-and-
large control themselves.
• Rousseau:
Humans are good and compassionate
by nature but can be corrupted by
civilization.
 Views on the State of
Nature: Hobbes, Locke &
Rousseau
 • The State of Nature is a dangerous place
and life of man is
a. Solitary
b. Poor
Thomas c. Nasty
Hobbes: d. Brutish
e. Short
• Self interest, internal conflict, ruled by King
who is out of contract.
 • According to him- State of Nature was State
of Nature was comfortable and inhabitable
place.
• There were some problems as well:
John Locke: a. Different explanation of laws by human
being due to the variance of intelligence.
b. Need to formulate laws to solve the
problems
 The State of Nature
exists anytime
humans have not
entered into an
agreement with each
Cont.. other to participate
in a government.
Even so, it is not
chaotic because of
human rationality,
and the three natural
rights to life, liberty
and property.
 • The state of nature is a wonderful
rich environment for early humans
living, solitary and peaceful lives
• Humans started to live happily.
Jean Jacques
• Number of Population was
Rousseau increased and lacked in consumer
goods.
• Conflict starts within scarcity of
resources
Views on Sovereign: Hobbes, Locke
& Rousseau
Cont..

• Hobbes: The Absolute Monarch

• Locke: The People electing a
government in democratic
election (Unlimited sovereignty
is contrary to natural law)
• Rousseau: The people vote on
all matters, the people are the
sovereign
Social Contract of Hobbes,
Locke and Rousseau
Thomas Hobbes

• Human’s faith on Monarchy started to

decline and Hobbes wrote a Famous book
named Leviathan (1651).
• Main essence: Sovereignty on Monarch
and establishment of King’s power.
• The Social Contract is not between the
citizens and the ruling power. It is a
contract citizens make with each other to
accept the rule of central authority.
Cont..
• Ruler has the absolute authority
• Parts of the social contract
process
• Validity of the contract
• Contract for advancement
otherwise bindings can be
accepted by the people
 • Two types of Contract:
a. Formation of State
b. Framework of the Government
• The Purpose of the government and
John Locke law is to uphold and protect the
natural rights of men. As long as,
government fulfills this purpose, the
laws given by it are valid and binding
but when it ceases to fulfill then the
laws would have no validity and
government can be thrown of power.
 Social Contract gives
Man is free, and he is
liberty from the rude state
everywhere in chains.
of nature.

This contract guarantees Political institutions are

individualism by important whereas
Rousseau prohibiting excessive
individualism or self
Hobbes and Locke viewed
that Political institutions
interest. are necessary evil

People empower state Citizens give complete

and ruler through control over themselves
Contract. and their possession
 People sacrifice self interest by giving
authority to State.

If the ruler or laws act other than the

Cont.. interests of the whole of society, then the
contract becomes void

It is not necessary that choices be made by a

vote. Majority rule is not necessary. Leaders
can act in the general interest without
consulting the citizenry.
 Power:

Human Nature:

Sovereignty:
Comparative
Analysis: Government

Group Work Politics:

State:

Conflict and limitation:

 Criticism of Hobbes’s View: (Roll: )

Criticism of Locke’s View: (Roll: )

Criticism of Rousseau’s View: (Roll:)

Home Work: Relevance and Learning for Bangladesh from Hobbes’ view
(Roll: )

Relevance and Learning for Bangladesh from Locke’s view

(Roll: )

Relevance and Learning for Bangladesh: Rousseau’s view (Roll: )

Summary of the Article: (Roll: ) 1 page
 Compare and contrast the Social Contract
theory of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau.

“Rousseau’s theory is applicable in

Reading modern time.” Explain the statement.

Question Discuss the ideas of Hobbes, Locke and

Rousseau concerning the state of nature.

Analyze theory of Hobbes, Locke and

Rousseau in the context of Bangladesh.
 Reading Books:
• Agarwal, R.C., 2007, Political Theory: Principles
of Political Theory, pp-122-138, New Delhi,
India.

Reference Reading Articles:

• Laskar, Manzoor. (2013). Summary of Social
Contract Theory by Hobbes, Locke, and
Rousseau. SSRN Electronic Journal.
10.2139/ssrn.2410525, pp- 7-8.
Q/A
THANKS