Primary Source Analysis: Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan and Sovereignty

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Thomas Hobbes' seminal work, Leviathan, published in 1651. The essay delves into Hobbes' exploration of absolute sovereignty, human nature, and the social contract, contextualized against the backdrop of the English Civil War. It examines Hobbes' argument for an absolute monarchy as a means to prevent chaos and ensure peace, highlighting his views on the equality of men, their inherent insecurities, and the resulting 'war of all against all.' The analysis focuses on Hobbes' concept of commonwealth, the powers and rights of the sovereign, and the importance of subjects abiding by the laws. The essay emphasizes Hobbes' foresight and the relevance of his ideas in contemporary governance, underscoring the significance of a sovereign rule in maintaining societal order and protecting citizens. The analysis concludes by emphasizing the lasting impact of Hobbes' ideas on political thought and governance.

Running head: PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
Thomas Hobbes’s book “Leviathan” was published in the year 1651, it was one of the
most influential books penned down in the seventeenth century, which critically examines the
absolute sovereignty, understanding the nature of human beings, social contract and the
relationship between each of them. Thomas Hobbes penned down the book on the background of
the English Civil War. The English Civil War was fought between the Royalists and the
Parliamentarians. During this period, many royalists escaped to Europe and many came to
France where they met Hobbes. The company of these exiled royalists and the negative impact of
the war not only political but also economical made Hobbes, a royalist himself write the book
where he set forth a theory, which stated that it is important to have an absolute monarchy to
ensure there is no war as he advocated peace and non- violence.`
In the chapter XIII of the Leviathan, Hobbes describes that all men are equal. In the
excerpt of Leviathan Thomas talks about the nature of human beings, sense, imagination and
thought process. He states that although there are some individual differences, some have healthy
bodies while some have clever minds, but overall there is not much difference. This equality of
the human race leads to diffidence as both the men wish for the same thing that only one can
achieve. Hobbes also highlights the fact that the human beings tend to think themselves of being
ahead and smarter than others. He argues that men crave for gain, safety and reputation and these
are the main reasons for quarrel amongst men. These insecurities lead to wars not only on the
battlefield but also within themselves. Hobbes states the life of a man is “Solitary, Poor, Nasty,
brutish and Short”. He says that driving force in a person is the will to survive, and only thing
that inclines person towards peace is the fear of death(bbok 97)

2PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
Previously many theorists argued that monarch was the God’s person and asked people to
obey and worship him but gradually the people started questioning the authenticity and powers
of a monarch. People felt need for a reform which led to civil war in England in 1642. Hobbes
made an eloquent statement as to why people should obey a sovereign power even of an
imperfect kind to avoid the risk of chaos and war. Hobbes wrote that nature of men drives them
into wars, therefore they need someone to look after them with an iron fist because if there is no
authority strictly overseeing their actions, there would be no sense of security and stability.
According to Hobbes, the ideas and actions of human beings are directed by their individual
needs and wants, so this difference in opinions and self-centric nature of men makes it difficult
to protect themselves against a common enemy or injuries from one another. Therefore, Hobbes
states that a common power is needed to direct them in the right direction and defend them
against the invasion. Hobbes mentions that the only way to protect themselves is to become
united and establish commonwealth, which is a single man or an assembly of men bearing
absolute power.
After creating a single superpower in the form of commonwealth, Hobbes lays emphasis
on the powers and rights of it. Hobbes states that after the creation of the superpower the people
are only obliged to the soveriegn and nobody else. Hobbes describes this action as necessary for
the unity of commonwealth. Also once formed it would be out of reach of public to change the
sovereign without the permission of sovereign. Hobbes also states that sovereign power cannot
be forfeited as doing so will send the people back in the state of insecurity and war. Hobbes also
states that as the sovereign itself is given power by the people, its actions must be wilfully
accepted by people as their own without any protests. Hobbes describes the covenant as the
contract between the subjects themselves rather than the sovereign and the people, therefore

3PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
accusing sovereign of injustice was deemed as accusing oneself of injustice. Hobbes was of the
opinion that the people should abide by the laws set forth by the ruler even if they are not happy
with it, people should accept changes made by the ruler, a ruler can reward or punish at the same
time and a ruler cannot be beheaded. Hobbes feels that these rules are concrete and this will
ensure to create a healthy environment among people. Hobbes feels if these rules are followed
then the people can coexist peacefully.
In this excerpt, Hobbes puts forth the idea of the social contract and the idea of
commonwealth to ensure peace and harmony within the society. Hobbes devastated by the
consequences of the English Civil War, wrote this book Leviathan. This book states the
importance of a sovereign rule. It can be said that the book was way ahead of its time and
Hobbes had a strong far sight because the rules of the sovereign stated in the book is still
implemented now. Today in this world, the governments govern countries and their main
purpose is to serve the people of the country and to ensure peace to protect people from any
untowardly situation.