Thomas Hobbes vs. John Locke
Thomas Hobbes
• All humans are naturally
selfish and wicked
Thomas Hobbes
• STATE OF NATURE- life is
solitary, poor, nasty,
brutish, short
• Without government, man
will fight against man to
the death
Thomas Hobbes
• To escape the state of
nature- submit to a social
contract
– People give up their rights
to a strong ruler
Thomas Hobbes
• The best government is an
absolute monarchy
John Locke
• “Two Treatises on Government”
• People are good and want to
learn and improve
John Locke
• All people are born free and
equal
– Criticized absolute monarchy
John Locke
• All people are born free and
equal
– Criticized absolute monarchy
John Locke
• 3 Natural Rights
– Life, Liberty and Property
– Purpose of government is to
protect natural rights
– If government does not do this 
people SHOULD overthrow
government
John Locke
• In a modern democracy, power
comes from the PEOPLE