Hobbes Theory of Sovereignty. Lecture and Topic of Political Philosophy by Professor Qayum Mangi
Hobbes's theory of sovereignty brings to completion the process of subordinating the Church to civil power or Sovereign. Ans. Hobbes was a materialist and rationalist to the core of his heart. His political philosophy indicated the absolute sovereignty of whatever government happened to be in power. He bade people render unto Caesar and unto God whatever Caesar commanded. His state absorbed the will of all its members in matters secular and spiritual and it was wrong to will or act against it. Hobbes's sovereign was presented as a Mortal God vested with innumerable unchallenged powers to rule over his subjects arbitrarily. He was the smasher of the regular channels of democracy, a way of life. Hobbes' sovereign suffocated all the social and cultural communication between the people bringing about a reign of oppression and harshness. Adolf Hitler, Mussolini and Dictators of third world appeared in the guise of Machiavellian Prince and Hobbes's sovereign having to...