With reference to the forms and ideologies of government you have studied, evaluate which is conceptually the most justifiable

Question 1

Thesis:

Answer 1

Communism seems the best form of government

As will become clear through our examination of Authoritarianism and Multi-Party States by Mill and Locke

Question 2

Thomas Hobbes:

Answer 2

• Hobbes is famous for his early and elaborate development of what has come to be known as “social contract theory”, the method of justifying political principles or arrangements by appeal to the agreement that would be made among suitably situated rational, free, and equal persons
• In the Leviathan State the sovereign would have the right to make any laws he saw fit.

The only responsibility of the sovereign was to defend the state and keep the peace.

There was no contract between the sovereign and those who appointed him.

• The only contract was the agreement between the people to appoint somebody they would obey.
• Hobbes created a ruler with absolute authority, who was irrevocably handed the power to enforce unity and obedience. (b 205).
• To preserve his own life each citizen must give absolute and unconditional obedience to the sovereign and his laws and so in the Leviathan State the social contract justifies authoritarian government (ll 112)

Question 3

Criticism of Thomas Hobbes

Answer 3

(THEY HAVE NO PRECEDENT TO SET THEIR CLAIMS) –> Hobbes State of Nature Hellawack

Question 4

Rosseau

Answer 4

• General Will theory
• Human beings are naturally good i.e. in their state of nature they were very good but civilization have made them very naughty
• Restore human goodness —> we need a social contract theory
• In the social contract theory, humans are free and equal but give up some natural rights and freedom from the General Will
• Therefore, the state acts a mediator and allow the debate of the public to be held

Question 5

Criticisms of Rosseau

Answer 5

However, Rosseau’s government does not seem to work as it is impractical

—> Can be overthrown very easily

—> The elected body has to be promoting the wishes of the General Will at all times

—> However, if we look at example in real life it is not really possible

—> Rishi Sunak can not just magically stop the economic crisis that occurred due to things out of his hand (Corona, Russia War)

Question 6

Locke

Answer 6

Locke did not have such a dim view of the world as Hobbes This is probably since he lived in a time of comparative peace.

Locke unlike Hobbes was a believer in the separation of powers and division of the state into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Lock did not accept that absolute monarchy was the best structure for a state or the best way to govern a society.

Locke believed in the supremacy of the legislature over the monarchy.

Locke was however in agreement with Hobbes on the social contract. Locke said that the proper role of a government was to act as a commonwealth of men guided by the ‘eternal’ law of nature to preserve the life, liberty, and estate of the members of society

Nature did not necessarily protect property, so it was for man to make such laws. Property rights could only be claimed once a man had mixed his labour with nature – this was part of the law of nature for Locke (notes)

Locke thought that men were in a social contract with their sovereign for the protection of three inalienable natural rights of ‘life, liberty and estate’ which were given by God. He identified a fourth right – the right to rebel against unjust laws and their makers. the right to withdraw obedience is a group and individual right) (notes)

(BETTER BECAUSE THERE IS POLITICAL OBLIGATION)