Can one legitimately rebel using violence?

Question 1

Hobbes:

Answer 1

• Revolution should never be allowed, let alone violent revolution
• This is done to ensure that humanity’s contentious human nature is kept in order
• To him, a society which allows revolution is “poor, nasty, brutish and short”.
• He bases this off of the aftermath of the French Revolutions —> Reign of Terror (or any other revolutions you can use for that matter)
• For Hobbes, the state provided a stable and peaceful environment in which individuals could pursue their self-interest without fear of violence or conflict
• Any attempt to overthrow the government would undermine this peace and stability.

Question 2

Rosseau:

Answer 2

• Rosseau arguedagainst the idea that monarchs were divinelyempowered to rule, but in fact, that power laywith the sovereign people.
• Revolution againstthe state is therefore their right andunpunishable by a law system which did notrepresent the wants of the people.
• In this wayviolence in civil disobedience is justifiable ifit constitutes an attempt to escape where“everywhere he [humanity] is in chains”

Question 3

Locke:

Answer 3

• While in the absence of civil Government one has the right to use violence as an act of self-defence, we still have our right to property which trumps this right to use violence.
• Therefore, violence which damages property (such as the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests) is not permissible, as one’s right to property is most important