5.3.1 Order: Balancing Freedom and Social Structure (Thomas Hobbes)

Context:

The English Civil War (1642–1651):

• Thomas Hobbes lived during a time of great political turmoil in England, most notably the English Civil War, which pitted the monarchy against Parliament. This conflict led to the execution of King Charles I and the temporary establishment of a republican government under Oliver Cromwell.
• The chaos and violence of the Civil War profoundly influenced Hobbes's thinking, leading him to develop a philosophy that emphasized the need for strong, centralized authority to prevent disorder and maintain peace.

Intellectual Climate:

• Hobbes was part of the early modern period, a time when traditional medieval views were being challenged by new ideas from the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution. He was influenced by the mechanistic worldview emerging from the work of scientists like Galileo, which saw the universe as a system governed by physical laws.
• Hobbes applied this scientific perspective to his understanding of human nature and politics, making his work distinct from earlier, more religiously grounded political philosophies.

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The Leviathan

• The book is divided into four parts, covering human nature, the social contract, the structure of the state, and the Christian commonwealth.

The Commonwealth:

• Hobbes argued that the sovereign must have absolute power to ensure peace and prevent civil war. This power includes control over the military, the legal system, and even the church.

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Hobbes's View on Order

Primary Concern with Order:

• For Thomas Hobbes, the concept of order is central to his political philosophy. He believed that an ordered society is essential to prevent the chaos and violence that would otherwise arise from human nature.
• Hobbes's experience of the English Civil War heavily influenced his emphasis on order, as he witnessed firsthand the destructive consequences of political instability and social disorder.

Human Nature and the Need for Order:

• Hobbes had a pessimistic view of human nature, arguing that humans are naturally self-interested, competitive, and prone to conflict. In his view, without a strong governing authority, individuals would be in constant conflict, leading to a state of war.
• To prevent this "war of all against all," Hobbes argued that society requires a powerful and authoritative state to maintain order and enforce laws. This state, or sovereign, must have the power to impose order and ensure peace.

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Balancing Freedom and Security

The State of Nature:

• Hobbes described the state of nature as a hypothetical condition where there is no government or laws, and individuals are free to do as they please. However, this absolute freedom leads to a life that is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," as individuals constantly fear for their safety and survival.
• In the state of nature, the lack of order means that freedom itself becomes dangerous, as there are no protections against violence and exploitation.

Social Contract as a Means to Order:

• To escape the dangers of the state of nature, Hobbes proposed the idea of a social contract, where individuals collectively agree to surrender some of their freedoms to a sovereign authority in exchange for security and order.
• This contract is not about giving up all freedom, but rather about establishing a balance where enough freedom is surrendered to ensure safety and stability, while still allowing individuals to lead their lives within the framework of the law.

Order Over Absolute Freedom:

• Hobbes argued that an ordered society, where individuals are subject to the authority of a sovereign, is essential for true freedom. Without order, the concept of freedom becomes meaningless because individuals would live in constant fear and uncertainty.
• Thus, Hobbes believed that the role of the state is to create an environment where people can lead their lives without the constant threat of violence or disorder. This requires a strong state capable of maintaining order, even if it means restricting certain freedoms.

"Liberty, or freedom, signifieth... the absence of opposition; (by opposition, I mean external impediments of motion.)"

– Hobbes recognized that true freedom can only exist within a structured and ordered society.

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The Concept of the Social Contract

Definition:

• The social contract, as conceived by Thomas Hobbes, is a foundational concept in his political philosophy. It refers to an implicit agreement among individuals in a society to surrender certain freedoms to a sovereign authority in exchange for protection, security, and order.
• This contract is not a literal, historical event but rather a theoretical framework that explains the legitimacy of the state and the authority of government over individuals.

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Hobbes's Influence on Conservative Thought

Justification for Strong Government:

• Hobbes's ideas provide a key justification for the conservative belief in the necessity of a strong government to maintain social order. His emphasis on the dangers of disorder and the benefits of a powerful state has been influential in conservative arguments against excessive individualism and anarchism.

Order as a Precondition for Freedom:

• Hobbes's philosophy suggests that freedom and order are not mutually exclusive but are interdependent. An ordered society is necessary for individuals to exercise their freedoms meaningfully, as it provides the security and stability needed for personal and collective flourishing.

Sovereignty and Authority:

• Hobbes's idea that the sovereign must have absolute authority to maintain order resonates with conservative views on the importance of respecting established authority and the dangers of undermining state power.

Impact on Political Philosophy:

• Hobbes's work laid the foundation for modern political philosophy, particularly the social contract theory. His ideas influenced later thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, though they disagreed with his conclusions.
• Hobbes's emphasis on the necessity of a powerful state to maintain order has resonated through centuries of conservative thought, making him a key figure in discussions of authority, governance, and the nature of human society.

Relevance to Modern Conservatism:

• Hobbes's belief in the need for a strong, centralized authority continues to influence conservative ideology today. His work is often cited in debates about the balance between state power and individual liberty, the role of government in maintaining social order, and the importance of security in a functioning society.

Criticism:

• Hobbes's ideas have also faced significant criticism, particularly his advocacy for absolute sovereignty, which some argue leads to authoritarianism. Liberal and democratic theorists, in particular, have challenged his views on the limits of state power and the role of individual rights.