WEST-E Social Studies Practice Test

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What concept did Thomas Hobbes emphasize in his work Leviathan?

Individuals are inherently good and peaceful
Governments are unnecessary for societal order
Individuals live in harmony without government
States must control the individual's quest for power

The correct answer is: States must control the individual's quest for power

In "Leviathan," Thomas Hobbes emphasized the idea that in the absence of a strong central authority, individuals will naturally pursue their own interests, which can lead to a state of chaos and conflict. He argued that people are driven by a desire for power and security, and without the constraints imposed by a government, this unchecked pursuit could result in a "war of all against all." Thus, he believed that a powerful state is essential to control these individual aspirations for power and to maintain social order and peace. This concept of the state's role in mediating human conflict and suppressing individual desires underlines much of Hobbes' social contract theory, where he advocated for an absolute sovereign to maintain order and prevent societal breakdown.