Nation-State and sovereignty in Hobbes and Locke

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss the concepts of Nation-State and sovereignty in Hobbes and Locke. From a philosophical point of view, the main objective of modern contractarianism was the justification of political authority. However, Hobbes and Locke came to divergent conclusions. In Hobbes’s argument, the end of the State was the achievement of peace. In Locke’s argument, instead, the end of the State was the protection of Natural Rights of the individuals: life, freedom and property. From a Lockean perspective, the argument of absolute sovereignty is inadmissible. The State, in Lockean contract theory, must be a limited government. In this way, Locke set the grounds and principles of contemporary Rule of Law.