Can the Liberty of Subjects Protect Against Tyranny and Corruption in Government?

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

4-30-2024

Abstract

While advanced democracies around the globe are struggling with a rise in autocratic leaders, Hobbes’s political theory, known for advancing an illiberal, antidemocratic political agenda, may seem of little appeal or utility. In particular, Hobbes believed that self-centered and corrupt sovereigns have the absolute right to use their power in any way they please, as nothing they can do to the people could constitute an injury or violation. Hobbes further believed the sovereign owed no duties to the people, and that therefore nothing he did could constitute an injury against them. Even against this background, however, Hobbes still believed that there were ways to counter corrupt or self-serving sovereigns. Most importantly, Hobbes believed in a right of rebellion. This chapter traces some of the implications of the Hobbesian thinking about this question for the current political landscape.

Keywords

Hobbes, sovereign, corruption, claim rights, liberty rights

Publication Title

New Approaches to Social Contract Theory

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198878650.003.0013

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