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 totalitarian conception of rulership in their states. Actually, these dictators fully satisfied insatiated ego of the Machiavelli and Hobbes and usurped all the freedom of the individuals for effective control over people.

According to Hobbes the following are the attributes of sovereignty.

The sovereign is absolute, singular law making authority  and sources of all positive law. His powers to frame laws of the land are not restricted by any human agency. The only checks upon the sovereign are the law of nature. Subjects have no authority to call any explanation from the sovereign for his misdeeds. They have no right to threaten, to punish him, to banish or depose him. They cannot choose any other ruler in his place. Only in the state of civil war, a defacto sovereign can be made. The covenant between the ruler and the ruled once made is irrevocable. It will be a wrong act to oppose the sovereign. His soeregn was immune from all kinds of law. The sovereign is the fountain of justice, and honour. The sovereign has full power to declare war against any country or nation when ever he likes. He has not to secure consent from any human authority. He has right of creating judicature. The sovereign is above all and has powers to appoints counsellors, ministers, magistrates and officers in his state, both in peace and war.

Sovereignty is indivisible, inalienable and unpunishable. No equal or subordinate sovereign can exist and sovereignty extends to spiritual as well as secular affairs.

The sovereign formulates laws regarding property and taxation etc. he has full rights to allow or disallow freedom of speech to his subject. The sovereign has to protect his people from internal disruption and external aggression for the preservation of peace and glory of the state.

No covenant with God can be quoted against a sovereign, for, he is the only channel through which contract with God can be made.  If the sovereign ignores the pact, he can do so, because he is no party to the contract. But the subject cannot do so for the pact made them give up all their natural rights. The sovereign has right to jeopardise all the rights of resistance of the subjects for the attainment of his self-aggrandisements.

Wish You Good Luck, Professor Qayum Mangi, Principal College of Superior Serices Sukkur

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