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Of Hobbes and Locke -Who supports individual determination? why? Who supports idea to follow/obey government strongly? why?

How do both of these ideas fit in with Democracy? How do we know when we have a democracy?

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Answer:

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were both influential political philosophers, but they had differing views on government and individual rights.

1. **Individual Determination:**

- **John Locke** supports individual determination. He believed that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Locke argued that government exists to protect these rights, and if a government fails in its duty, people have the right to rebel and establish a new government. Locke's philosophy emphasizes the importance of individual rights and personal freedom.

- **Thomas Hobbes** had a different perspective. He believed in a social contract theory, where individuals, in a state of nature, would willingly give up some of their freedoms to a sovereign authority (the government) for protection and the maintenance of order. Hobbes emphasized the importance of strong government authority to prevent the chaos he believed would exist in a state of nature.

2. **Government Obedience:**

- As mentioned, Hobbes supported strong government authority and obedience. He believed that a strong government was necessary to maintain order and prevent the "war of all against all" that he associated with a state of nature.

- Locke also believed in the importance of government, but he emphasized limited government. He thought that governments should be based on the consent of the governed and should protect individual rights. If a government overstepped its bounds or violated individual rights, Locke believed that people had a right to resist and replace that government.

3. **Democracy:**

- Both Locke and Hobbes contributed to the development of democratic thought, although they had different ideas about what form of government would best protect individual rights and prevent anarchy.

- In a democracy, the emphasis is typically on individual rights and participation in government. Both Locke's ideas on individual rights and government by consent and Hobbes's ideas on the necessity of government align with democratic principles.

4. **Recognition of Democracy:**

- A democracy is generally recognized when it features key elements such as regular, free, and fair elections; protection of individual rights; the rule of law; and government by consent of the governed. In a democracy, there is typically respect for the rights and freedoms of individuals, and citizens have the ability to participate in the decision-making process through voting and representation.

It's important to note that the concepts of individual determination, government obedience, and democracy are complex and have evolved over time. Different democratic societies may interpret and apply these principles in various ways. Additionally, the works of philosophers like Locke and Hobbes continue to influence political thought and debates about the role of government in society.

Step-by-step explanation:

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