Which philosopher argued that people surrender some power to a sovereign to ensure order in a state of nature?

Which philosopher argued that people surrender some power to a sovereign to ensure order in a state of nature?

• A. John Locke
• B. Montesquieu
• C. Rousseau
• D. Thomas Hobbes

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is social contract theory and the state of nature. In a hypothetical pre-government state, life is unstable and dangerous, so people decide to give up some personal freedoms to a strong authority in exchange for order and protection. This view is central to Thomas Hobbes, who argued that only an absolute sovereign can keep peace and prevent the chaos of perpetual conflict. He believed that without a powerful ruler to enforce laws, people would live in constant fear and insecurity. Hobbes’s solution is an agreement where individuals consent to submit to a sovereign with the authority to maintain order, even if that authority limits personal freedoms. This contrasts with the other philosophers’ ideas: John Locke, for example, emphasized protecting natural rights and argued that government power should be limited and may be removed if it fails to protect those rights; Montesquieu advocated separating powers to prevent tyranny; Rousseau highlighted the idea of the general will and popular sovereignty rather than surrendering to a single ruler. So the philosopher who argued that people surrender some power to a sovereign to ensure order is Hobbes.

The main idea being tested is social contract theory and the state of nature. In a hypothetical pre-government state, life is unstable and dangerous, so people decide to give up some personal freedoms to a strong authority in exchange for order and protection. This view is central to Thomas Hobbes, who argued that only an absolute sovereign can keep peace and prevent the chaos of perpetual conflict. He believed that without a powerful ruler to enforce laws, people would live in constant fear and insecurity.

Hobbes’s solution is an agreement where individuals consent to submit to a sovereign with the authority to maintain order, even if that authority limits personal freedoms. This contrasts with the other philosophers’ ideas: John Locke, for example, emphasized protecting natural rights and argued that government power should be limited and may be removed if it fails to protect those rights; Montesquieu advocated separating powers to prevent tyranny; Rousseau highlighted the idea of the general will and popular sovereignty rather than surrendering to a single ruler.

So the philosopher who argued that people surrender some power to a sovereign to ensure order is Hobbes.