Stephanie H. answered • 10/10/20
Experienced World History Tutor and former global Diplomat
Hobbes was one of the most influential philosophers on the social contract. His ideas influence my work in defining why states fail around the world.
His writings are quite pertinent today around the situations in which the government fails to uphold its mandate to the people, to protect the lives of its citizens. In these situations, the government flirts with inviting violent revolutionary actions, chaos and mass casualties. Any government at this current time could be asked if they are truly upholding the contract they committed to with the people? He believes that without a sovereign, a ruler, there is anarchy, which is miserable. At the same time, if this contract is violated through immoral actions by the ruler then there are repercussions.
Here is an interesting modern article on Hobbes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/05/18/what-would-hobbes-say-about-pandemic-governments-should-protect-lives-help-poor/
