Thomas Hobbes Leviathan - Book Report/Review Example

Nor by the conjunction of a few men and families; nor from a great multitude, unless directed by one judgment. One of the most essential aspects of this reading has been the definition of the commonwealth which is one person, of whose acts a great multitude, by mutual covenants one with another, have made themselves everyone the author, to the end he may use the strength and means of them all, as he shall think expedient, for their peace and common defense.

In the next chapter of the book, Of the Rights of Sovereigns by Institution, the author deals with the act of instituting a commonwealth, the consequences of such institution, which includes ‘the subjects cannot change the form of government’, ‘sovereign power cannot be forfeited’, ‘no man can without injustice protest against the institution’, ‘the sovereign actions cannot be justly accused by the subjects’, ‘whatsoever the sovereign does is un-punishable by the subject’, ‘the sovereign is the judge of what s necessary for the peace and defense of his subjects, etc.

Chapter nineteen of the book, Of the Several Kinds of Common-wealth by Institution, and of Succession to the Soveraigne Power, names the different types of the commonwealth as monarchy, democracy, and aristocracy. Therefore, the readings from the second part of Hobbes’ Leviathan offer a convincing idea about the author’s concepts concerning the commonwealth. Read More

 

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