2.1 Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679): Absolute Monarchy

The book:Leviathan (1651), written amid the English Civil War — political philosophy as a peace treaty designed by fear.The argument's ladder:1. Human nature: desire-driven, power-seeking, roughly equal in strength and wit — equality breeding diffidence (I can kill you sleeping; you, me).2. The state of nature: without common power, the war of every man against every man — no industry, no culture, "continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man: solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" (the one quote to know). No law, no justice or injustice — these exist only with a common power.3. The laws of nature (reason's precepts — seek peace, keep covenants) — necessary but toothless: covenants without the sword are but words.4. The contract: each person cedes the right of self-government to one sovereign (one man or assembly) by covenant among themselves — the sovereign is not a party (hence cannot breach; hence cannot be resisted).5. The result — absolute monarchy preferred: undivided, illimitable sovereignty: the source of law (law = the sovereign's command — Austin's ancestor), judge of peace and war, above the law (his acts cannot be unjust); liberty = the silence of the law. Limits (the seedslater thinkers grow): self-preservation (the right not to testify against oneself; resistance when the sovereign cannot protect); the sovereign's duty to the…