Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, although both philosophers share similar views, Hobbes and Locke have very different observations regarding laws and rights. It gives the following examples: the natural law, the social contract, and most importantly, fundamental law. The author points out that Hobbes takes the absolutist viewpoint supporting an absolute sovereign, while Locke supports a more democratic approach against an absolute sovereign. The paper concludes that both Hobbes and Locke shared vital theories that assisted in the creation of the United States Constitution.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Constitutionalist
The Absolutist
In Conclusion

From the Paper:

"From this, we get Locke's next section in the Second Treatise, which is on the state of war, which occurs within the state of nature. Locke tells us that the state of war is a "state of Enmity and Destruction" where "a sedate settled design is put upon another Mans Life." In this case, there is a conscious design to end someone's life, which can be linked to rights within the state of nature. The state of war is entered when a threat of life is made where the design of war has been instituted. The state of war can also be achieved when the freedom of a person is tampered with, as Locke states, "for no body can desire to have me in his absolute power.""

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