Lecture 1: Why do we need political institutions?

Question 1

According to Hobbes what is the main purpose of political institutions?

Answer 1

The main purpose of political institutions, according to hooves, is to achieve self-preservation

Question 2

What are Hobbes Reasons on the Need for a State?

Answer 2

• Cooperation among human beings does not arise spontaneously, unlike for some social animals
• Because there is no natural agreement, our security is threatened without political institutions
• Mere associations between people cannot achieve security
• Security requires the coercive power of an authoritarian state