Comparative Review
Hobbes, Locke
And
Rousseau
Nature of Man
What is man like without restraint
of law or morality?
Hobbes:
aggressive, selfish
Locke and Rousseau:
rational, sociable, cooperative
Condition of Man Within Nature
What is life like for Man in the State
of Nature?
Hobbes: abysmal; “solitary, poor,
nasty,
brutish, and short”
Locke:
frustrating; no room for
progression
Rousseau: idyllic (sort of)
Extent of Natural Rights
What Rights does Man possess by
or in nature?
Hobbes: self preservation
Locke: God-given rights
(life,
property)
Rousseau: inalienable rights
(life,
Source of Sovereignty
Where does Political Power come
from?
Hobbes: ruler is sovereign
Locke:
the
people are sovereign;
government exists with
consent of the governed
Rousseau: the people are sovereign
Purpose of Government
What is the main role of the State?
Hobbes: social control and keep
order
Locke:
the
protect rights and serve
majority
Rousseau:
the
protect rights, serve
general will
Nature of the Social Contract
What is the relationship between the
government and the people?
Hobbes: irrevocable, one-sided
Locke:
the people retain the right to
change the government
Rousseau: the people retain the
right
to change the
government