Government & Hobbes
After learning about Thomas Hobbes you will understand the principles
of government developed by Hobbes.
Part I: Background On Hobbes
Begin your study on Thomas Hobbes by reading his short biography. As you read
this make a list of key principles developed by Hobbes regarding government.
Part II: Quotes- Hobbes in Your Own Words
Please read the following excerpts taken from Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan and then
rewrite them in your own words. Then on a scale of 1 to 5 Decide how much you agree
with each statement and then explain why you made the choice you did.
1. “For the laws of nature (as justice, equity, modesty, mercy, and in sum, doing to
others as we would be done to) of themselves, without the terror of some power, to
cause them to be observed, are contrary to our natural passions, that carry us to
partiality, pride, revenge and the like”.
2. “During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they
are in that conditions called war; and such a war, as if of every man, against every
man…To this war of every man against every man, this also in consequent; that
nothing can be unjust. The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice have
there no place. Where there is no common power, there is no law, no injustice”.
3. “The safety of the People, requireth further, from him, or them that have the
Sovereign Power, that Justice be equally administered to all degrees of People, that is,
that as well the rich and mighty, as poor and obscure persons, may be righted of the
injuries done them . . . "
4. “Unnecessary laws are not good laws, but traps for money.”
Part III: DBQ’s For Hobbes
Painting: The Trail of Tears
1. What image is the artist trying to portray in this picture? (Give specific details
as you write a story to accompany this painting.) Why is this titled The Trail
of Tears?
2. Whose rights are being violated and why?
3. Who is responsible for the “trail of tears”? Why are they responsible?
4. What is the relationship between the “trail of tears” and the idea of limited
government?
5. How do you think Hobbes would respond to the painting The Trail of Tears?
6. In the Painting The Trail of Tears do you think that justice is being “equally
administered to all degrees of people” as Hobbes thought government should
do?
Photograph: President Richard Nixon
1. What event in history in does this image portray? Write a brief description of your
understanding of this event? Now check you text book and write a summary of
what it says about this event.
2. Do you believe that this picture represents a man in a state of nature? Why or
why not?
Photograph: Palestinian Youth
1. What is the conflict represented in this picture? What is the bases for this conflict?
When did this conflict begin?
2. Do you believe the fighting between the Israeli’s and the Palestinians illustrates a
state of war?
Part IV: Reflections on Hobbes
1. Is our government limited or unlimited? Why did you make the choice you did?
2. Is justice being “equally administered to all degrees of people” today? Provide
specific examples to support your position.
3. Do you agree that without government, humans would naturally be in a state of
war? Explain why you believe what you do? Give examples to support what you
believe?
4. Is government a necessary element for society? Why?
5. Locke believed that in a state of nature “no one ought to harm another in his
life, health, or possessions”. In other words, he had a positive view of human
nature. Compare this view of nature to that of Hobbes who believed that “people
were always at war with one another, a war of all against all”. Who do you
believe is right in their view? Why do you believe this?
The Trail of Tears
By Robert Lindneux
Limited Government is the philosophy that government does not have absolute authority.
Hobbes did not believe that that there should be many limits on government, but he did not think
that a sovereign could do anything that would injure his or her subjects.
Questions to consider:
 What image is the artist trying to portray in this picture?
 Whose rights are being violated and why?
 Who is responsible for the “trail of tears”?
 What is the relationship between the “trail of tears” and the idea of limited
government?
Thomas Hobbes Biography
Thomas Hobbes
(This biography was excerpted from <www.rjgeib.com/thoughts/nature/hobbesbio.html>)
Thomas Hobbes was born in London in 1588. He received his college education
at Oxford University in England, where he studied classics. Hobbes traveled to other
European countries several times to meet with scientists and to study different forms of
government. During his time outside of England, Hobbes became interested in why
people allowed themselves to be ruled and what would be the best form of government
for England. In 1651, Hobbes wrote his most famous work, entitled Leviathan. In it, he
argued that people were naturally wicked and could not be trusted to govern. Therefore,
Hobbes believed that an absolute monarchy-a government that gave all power to a king or
queen-was best.
Hobbes believed that humans were basically selfish creatures who would do
anything to better their position. Left to themselves, he thought, people would act on their
evil impulses. According to Hobbes, people therefore should not be trusted to make
decisions on their own. In addition, Hobbes felt that nations, like people, were selfishly
motivated. To Hobbes, each country was in a constant battle for power and wealth. To
prove his point, Hobbes wrote, "If men are naturally in a state of war, why do they
always carry arms and why do they have keys to lock their doors?"
Governments were created, according to Hobbes, to protect people from their own
selfishness and evil. The best government was one that had the great power of a
leviathan, or sea monster. Hobbes believed in the rule of a king because he felt a country
needed an authority figure to provide direction and leadership.
President Richard Nixon pounds his fist on the podium as he answers a question during his televised
appearance before questioners made up of members of the National Broadcasters Association in Houston,
Texas, March 19, 1974. President Nixon declared that dragging out Watergate drags down America. (AP
Photo)
State of nature is the philosophy regarding how humans would act in their most basic
state without a civil government. Hobbes believed the state of nature in which man lived
before the formation of society was founded on a savage selfishness, which drove man to
obtain pleasure without concern for justice or mercy toward other men.
Questions to consider:
 What event in history in does this image portray?
 Do you believe that this picture represents a man in a state of nature? Why or
why not?
A Palestinian youth throws a tear gas canister back toward Israeli soldiers during clashes in the West Bank
town of Ramallah Friday Feb. 16, 2001. Five months of fighting with Israel have emptied Yasser Arafat's
public coffers and plunged the West Bank and Gaza Strip into a severe economic crisis, prompting
unprecedented warnings by Israel and the United Nations that the Palestinian Authority may be headed for
collapse. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
State of war-Hobbes believed that in the state of nature, people were always at war with
one another, a war of all against all. Each individual was endowed with the right to do
anything they pleased and people were in constant fear for their lives.
Questions to consider:
 What is the conflict represented in this picture?
 Do you believe the fighting between the Israeli’s and the Palestinians illustrates a
state of war?
Study Guide: Thomas Hobbes
Please read the following excerpts taken from Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan and then
rewrite them in your own words. Next, circle the number on a scale of 1 to 5
corresponding with how much you agree or disagree with Mr. Hobbes’ quote.
1. “For the laws of nature (as justice, equity, modesty, mercy, and in sum, doing to
others as we would be done to) of themselves, without the terror of some power, to
cause them to be observed, are contrary to our natural passions, that carry us to
partiality, pride, revenge and the like”.
1
2
disagree
3
4
neutral
5
agree
2. “During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they
are in that conditions called war; and such a war, as if of every man, against every
man…To this war of every man against every man, this also in consequent; that
nothing can be unjust. The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice have
there no place. Where there is no common power, there is no law, no injustice”.
1
2
disagree
3
4
neutral
5
agree
3. “The safety of the People, requireth further, from him, or them that have the
Sovereign Power, that Justice be equally administered to all degrees of People, that is,
that as well the rich and mighty, as poor and obscure persons, may be righted of the
injuries done them . . . "
1
2
3
4
5
disagree
neutral
agree
4. “Unnecessary laws are not good laws, but traps for money.”
1
2
3
4
5
disagree
neutral
agree