Extended Essays 2021

“solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” Contrary to Mill, Hobbes attempts to solve this

through putting “… some powerful individual or parliament in charge. The individuals would

have to enter into a ‘social contract’, an agreement to give up some of their dangerous freedoms

for the sake of safety.” 29 Hobbes would reject all democratic arguments, asserting that severe

punishment can be given to those out of line, and laws are inadequate if there is no leader

forcing citizens to act according to these laws. With Mill and Plato similarly rejecting

autonomy (understood as self-government), both have distinct opinions on overthrowing

revolutions and the ruling political elites.

Plato would criticise Hobbes as he advocates the ruling by a group of elites, whereas Hobbes

is strict in absolute monarchy in that the throne is inheritable and unable to be overthrown.

Although Plato does not object to monarchy, can it be assumed that this form of government

too could eventually degenerate into a tyranny if a monarch misuses power? Contrary to the

inheritable nature of the monarch, Plato prioritises aristocracy as those who lead must prove

that they are worthy of doing so through long experience. Due to the impracticality of a

monarch (in that they are not required to be noble or virtuous, rather born into leadership),

Plato’s aristocratic form of government supersedes and appears more practical.

In his most influential work of philosophy, The Social Contract (1762), Jean Jacques asserts

his belief in direct democracy. 30 Rousseau agrees with Locke that the individual should never

be overthrown, yet he questions the state of nature. Locke aims to find a way to protect

individuals while letting them remain free, thus he develops a social contract. Locke then

asserts that th e community should give up their rights for the exercise their “general will” to

make laws for the good of the public.

29 Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679. Leviathan . Baltimore :Penguin Books, 1968. 30 Rousseau, J., 2004. The Social Contract . Harlow, England: Penguin Books.

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