The Role of State According to Hobbes and Locke and Rousseau's Social Contract Theory - Essay Example

Introduction: In the modern times leading from the Renaissance era, number of new concepts and ideals came forth. One similar concept was that of nation state and individual’s standing in the societal realm. These concepts came about under a different discipline of political and social philosophy. As a result of this, number of political philosophers came forth as well. The likes of Jean John Rousseau, John Locke and Thomas Hobbes are three examples and individuals who worked on the same lines and gave their ideas regarding the concept of state and how it deals with the status of individuals (Heugens, et al., 2003, p. 7). Brief Description: John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and Jean John Rousseau enjoy a reputable name in the field of political philosophy. They worked on the different dimensions of human relationship with the state, society (Chaurasia, 2001, p. 322). Also each of them undertook the understanding with regard to the role played by the state. Since each of these came into the global sphere of politics at a time when the European sphere was largely dominated and over clouded by the monarchic and aristocratic rulings, this gave them a reason to challenge the status quo and define the roles and responsibility of the state against the individuals. Social Contract Theory: Before understanding the role and ideals of each of the individual philosophers, it is important to understand the social contract theory. Since each of the aforementioned individuals belonged to the part of school of thought who advocated the social contract theory. Under this principle the social contract between the state and individual comes about as a result of number of needs, developments, deviations, norms, formation, devaluing of the original shape and outlook of the mankind. State of nature: State of nature as the name would reveal is a concept and idea which reveals the basis and the pre historic origin based existence of the mankind. According to this, the society and the collective outlook of the mankind came into existence for a particular reason and for a cause that emerged out of necessity (Schrems, 2007, p. 89). This cause led to a separate school of thought, political philosophers and ideals based on which the pre historic societal existence was compared and the reasons were presented based on which the mankind agreed to or underwent the evolution of creating institutions, creating society, and creating moral and social order. Social control as a means to protecting the social outlook: Going by the concept of mankind being a social being, Jean John Rousseau advocated the idea that mankind engages itself into social contract, social agreement and social undertaking for the purpose of protecting itself, promoting itself and preserving itself against the odd wild and jungle like nature of mankind originally inhibited to it ( Janowitz, 1991,p. 77). Rousseau views: According to Rousseau, the institutions, law and other codes come into action as a result of the destructive nature of mankind. While mankind has the element of being selfish by nature, this puts it at threat with its other fellow beings with regard to security and mutual co existence. As a result, the mankind had to craft institutions and preventive moral and social orders enabling it to exist with others and make the world worth living together. The mutual co existence can come about only in the form of an organized and approved method of engagement. This engagement is the social contract where the roles, responsibilities are defined. State towards individuals: State for the purpose of bringing about order and stability in the social structure enforces rules. These rules come about in the form of institutions. These major institutions are broadly as: Political institution Educational institution Economic institution Religious institution Family as an institution Each of these enable enforcing rule, law, order, peace and stability in the social sphere in one way or the other. Some of these do so in strict manner by imposing penalties, fines and punishments, others do so by setting rules instructions, guidelines and may not need declared warnings and punishments rather they come into force as a sequence of practice and hierarchical order within the society (Demirbolat, 2012, p. 15). John Locke and his views regarding the state: John Locke was also a protagonist of the mindset who was born at a time when the social orders and the political spectrum of decision making had grown hazy under dynastic, monarchic rules. He therefore presented his views with regard to the rule of state and its influence and domination over the ordinary man. The state has the primary function and responsibility towards protecting the life, property and honor of the individuals. The individuals on the other hand should be provided sufficient means and sources of making a living and competitiveness should be allowed to flourish between them (Boucher & Kelly, 2003, p. 136). State of nature: The state of nature as defined by each undertakes the narrative that mankind is wild by nature. It gets into conflict with its own fellow beings. This rivalry comes into play on account of rivalry for power, place, possession and fame and name in the society. In order to ensure that a balance and just system of ruling is in place, the societal structure was defined in the form of social institutions, roles and responsibilities and regulations. Similarly the punishment and award system came about in the form of institutional formation (Gobster & Hull, 2000,p 100). The role of state: Under the social contract, the state has to provide for an entity ensuring order, peace, progress in the society. It must cater for the needs of the individuals, at the same time it must ensure law and order along with progress. Since Jean John Rousseau was of the view that the social contract and agreement came about when corruption, pollution of the pure surroundings came about as a result of corruption of mind, thought, actions and intentions of the certain few leading to strong enforcements and regulations to curb such trends and such negative elements within the society (Scott, 2006, p. 426). Concept of Lockean State: Based on such ideas and concepts, the John Locke made up for the Lockean State and phenomena under which the individuals had the rights and the state had duties to render before the masses. These duties incorporated security, safety, equal rights, protection and representative platform. His theory and his postulates allowed understanding the concepts of legally acquired power, against the autocratic, dynastic and the state enforced form of ruling which is largely acceptable to the common man as a rule of society and order within. John Locke’s ideas gave the concept of civil war as a potential to how the scenario prevails in case of absence of ruling and order in the society. The views of John Locke are seen for presenting the mankind as one that is focused on self interests which even if come at the cost of others the mankind goes for it (Anstey, 2004, p. 76). Thomas Hobbes and his views regarding state and state of nature: Thomas Hobbes was of the view that man by nature is relatively wild. As the population grows, as it deals with the other fellow beings, it gets into competition. This competition makes the man further mean from what he is originally based on. Owing to this rivalry, the scarcity of sources and the protection the mankind has introduced various means of preservation, protection and representation. These orders and these mechanisms come along in the form of social protection, institution, law and order (Schmitt, 2008, p. 48). State of nature versus state of war: According to Thomas Hobbs, wretchedness, greed, power struggle and the exploitation of the poor by the otherwise led to competition in a negative manner. This further led to a state of war and formation of rivalry where the mankind started exploring new means and new tools towards protecting itself and damaging the fellow beings. Prior to all this, the mankind lived in peace, tranquility and balanced stable life that was free of any negative energies, negative thoughts and negative intentions towards the fellow beings (Morris, 2007¸p .2). Conclusion: The works and philosophies of each of the proponents of this school of thought set forth the foundation for a distinct discipline within the field of sociology and the evolution of mankind through the collective existence within the social outfit. The broad line definitions and concepts under this phenomenon include the ideas of how the mankind and his society evolved, what would be the outcome without the agent of force, regulation and ruling, and also what is the need and why brought about the requirement. Further, each of these talk of the generic nature that the mankind possesses as a whole. While one advocates the ideas that the war and rivalry is the result of wretchedness, others argue that mankind by itself is wild by nature hence the need for social contract and control. References: Boucher, D. & Kelly, P., 2003. The Social Contract from Hobbes to Rawls. s.l.:Routledge Chaurasia, R. S., 2001. History of Western Political Thought. s.l.:Atlantic Publishers & Dist. Demirbolat, A. O., 2012. The Relationship Between Democracy and Education. s.l.:Bentham Science Publishers Gobster, P. H. & Hull, B., 2000. Restoring Nature. s.l.:Island Press Heugens, P., Vromen, J. J. & Oosterhout, H. v., 2003. The Social Institutions of Capitalism: Evolution and Design of Social Contracts. s.l.:Edward Elgar Publishing Janowitz, M., 1991. On Social Organization and Social Control. s.l.:University of Chicago Press Morris, C. W., 2007. The Social Contract Theorists: Critical Essays on Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. s.l.:Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Schrems, J. J., 2007. Understanding Principles of Politics and the State. s.l.:University Press of America Schmitt, C., 2008. The Leviathan in the State Theory of Thomas Hobbes: Meaning and Failure of a Political Symbol. s.l.:University of Chicago Press Read More