Examining Absolute Sovereignty's Function in Preserving Social Order: A Study of Thomas Hobbes' Political Philosophy.

Abstract

The foundation of human nature defines most academic arguments about political organizations since an individual’s view of humanity directly affects their recommendations for governing societies. All three foundations of justice and commerce and cultural life need faith in an ultimate arbitrator for handling disputes. Individuals need to give their consent for giving up their natural rights to all other people in order to establish rule by the Leviathan a supreme governing body. The research conducted an analysis of government perspectives according to Thomas Hobbes through a bibliographic investigation into Hobbesian philosophical works. Hobbes determined monarchy to be the best way in which sovereignty could be established. According to Hobbes all executive power should be directed under a monarch to produce more focused unified political control. According to Hobbes the social contract existed solely between citizens whereas it did not extend to include the relationship between people and their sovereign. The king gained absolute power which barred the public from starting a revolution through their own actions. In a manner similar to Hobbes he stated that the administration of the monarch should avoid Clerical interference. The religious conflicts between subjects threatened to start a civil war that would threaten societal harmony. As per his proposals the church needed must remain under royal administrative control with enhanced spiritual supervision measures. Hobbes declares that people must obey royal commands above all else whenever divine and royal laws clash.