In trying to understand Thomas Hobbes’ and John Locke’s theories of the state of nature, there is an area that will be covered by this paper. The paper shall explain nature of Hobbes and Locke by comparing and contrasting their theories. The relationship of state of nature to equality (Lloyd, 2002) . The role of the social contract will also be examined besides assessing the role of government. Consequently, the relationship between Locke’s ideas of the state of nature and the opening paragraphs of the American declaration of independence will be discussed.
The accounts of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke on the state of nature differ in relation to individual security. This is because both thinkers present a situation of statelessness, but draw different conclusions. Dwellers of Locke’s state of nature have more security than those in Hobbes’. The reason for different conclusion by Hobbes and Locke lies in their clash of understanding of the nature of rights. Besides, Hobbes saw rights of a man to be coming from the state while Locke saw some rights as being independent and alienated from the state. However, both offer laws which they believe should guide behavior in the state of nature. Although, Locke’s laws are more secure than those of Hobbes, which explains why Locke’s state of nature is ideal.
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke agree that there is an existing relationship between the state of nature to equality. Both say that all men are equal, hence, have the authority to apply the law of nature. Hobbes argues that all men are equal by nature. In that, all men have equal ability to satisfy their desires and accumulate all the power they wish (Lloyd, 2002) . However, he acknowledges that man is a social animal because of limited resources which encourage competition hence promoting enemity. Hobbes argument on equality is that as much as men are equal by nature, one can harm another man's body if it means to achieve their targets. Locke looks at the state of nature as being full of equality and freedom dictated by the law of nature (Simmons, 1989) . Unlike Hobbes, Locke argues that equality is not bound by class differences but by natural rights which everybody has his own. Therefore, Locke argues that all men should be treated equally without subjection unless dictated by the sovereign power.
Thomas Hobbes and John Locke have been cited to be the principal exponents of the social contract theory. The social contract theory is an agreement made by individuals with the aim of bringing order to a society (Arneil, 1996) . The role of the social contract is to demonstrate the value of the government the political obligation and the authority over a jurisdiction. Through the social contract, citizens are obliged to obey and obey the state in exchange for security and stability which can only be provided by the political rule. Hobbes and Locke argue that the state arises from a social contract made by people who assume that they can tackle the insecurity of the state of nature through establishing a sovereign power.
Hobbes and Locke agree on the role of the government in the social contract. They are in agreement that the role of the government is to act as a state of men guided by the laws of nature to preserve the property liberty and life of the citizens of society (Lessnoff, 1992) . This is because the state of nature does not provide such necessities hence it is the role of the government to offer the duties through agreed laws set up by the social contract. However, Locke argues that citizens can choose to rebel against a government if they feel their rights are being alienated.
It is prudent to note the declaration of Independence as the most important statement of American political philosophy to be ever written. There exists a relationship between Locke’s theories of the state of nature to the American Declaration of Independence because the majority of ideas in the document can be traced from John Locke (Arneil, 1996) . The first paragraph which talks of dissolving the political bands between America and Britain are Locke’s principles where he argues that people can agree to get out of an agreement if they are not comfortable and choose to form another union in the state of nature (Simmons, 1989) . The second paragraph of the document highlights the idea of consent ruling citizens, and when they feel the ruler has committed crimes, the ruler loses citizens' consent. The paragraph also shows intent to rule the 13 states based on Locke's principles. The American Declaration of Independence is the application of John Locke’s theory of the social contract and explains why it has been used in the opening paragraphs of the document.
Conclusion
Thomas Hobbes and John Locke extensively explained the state of nature through their various theories. It is through these theories that both philosophers explain the state of nature as a concept of equality. However, there is a conflicting argument on both Locke and Hobbes theories of the state of nature to equality. It is through the state of nature that a social contract is created. The role of the social contract is to protect life, property, and liberty to the citizen through the government in exchange for rights from its people. It the state of nature in America during independence that John Locke’s principles of the social contract were used to write the American Declaration of Independence.
References
Arneil, B. (1996). John Locke and America: the defence of English colonialism . Oxford University Press.
Lessnoff, M., Barry, B., Kukathas, C., Pettit, P., & Kymlicka, W. (1992). Social contract theory.
Lloyd, S. A., & Sreedhar, S. (2002). Hobbes's moral and political philosophy.
Simmons, A. J. (1989). Locke's State of Nature. Political Theory , 17 (3), 449-470.
