UPSC Optional PSIR: State of Nature as State of War (Hobbes) (10M – 2023)
Is human nature inherently selfish and violent? 🧠 In this powerful breakdown of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan—a landmark in social contract theory—we explore how Hobbes built his argument for absolute sovereign power as a way to escape a brutal state of nature. This post covers Hobbes' key ideas: the State of Nature, the need for authority, and why Leviathan still matters today—especially in a world of rising global anarchy. Perfect for UPSC Mains (GS2 & PSIR optional) aspirants looking to understand power, order, and the origins of the modern state.
PSIR
8/3/20252 min read
🧠 Introduction: Hobbes and the Politics of Fear
Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan (1651) is one of the greatest masterpieces of political theory in English. According to Andrew Hacker, Hobbes was among the first to promote political individualism, envisioning a society where individuals, driven by fear and reason, consent to an authority to ensure peace and security.
⚔️ The State of Nature: War of All Against All
At the heart of Hobbes’ theory is the concept of the State of Nature—a hypothetical, pre-political condition without law, government, or coercive authority.
🔥 In the State of Nature:
People act selfishly to protect themselves.
There's no trust, no cooperation, and no security.
Life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
💣 According to scholar Aubrey, three causes lead to conflict:
Structural – Without a sovereign, people arm themselves defensively, triggering a security dilemma.
Circumstantial – Competition over limited goods leads to conflict.
Psychological – Ego, pride, and fear drive humans to war.
While people have complete freedom (what Hobbes calls jus naturale), liberty without security is meaningless.
🤝 The Social Contract: Birth of the Leviathan
To escape chaos, people voluntarily surrender their freedoms to a common authority—the sovereign, or Leviathan.
🏛️ Key Features of Hobbesian Sovereignty:
Absolute & Undivided Power: The Leviathan must be powerful enough to enforce law and order.
Not a dictator, but a necessity: Hobbes isn't glorifying tyranny but offering a logical solution to avoid self-destruction.
People choose order over anarchy through rational self-interest.
Hacker explains: "For a fair competition to exist, someone must stand above the competitors to set and enforce the rules."
🧨 Criticisms of Hobbes: Too Pessimistic? Too Authoritarian?
Overly pessimistic view of human nature: Critics say Hobbes ignores human empathy, altruism, and cooperation.
Fear of absolute power: Hobbes' sovereign might slide into authoritarianism or tyranny, especially with no space for rebellion.
Reductionist view of freedom: Critics argue true freedom isn’t merely safety from violence, but also participation and dignity.
🌍 Why Hobbes Still Matters: Realism in Global Politics
Despite criticisms, Hobbes’ thought is remarkably relevant in today's international relations.
With no global sovereign, international politics often resembles the Hobbesian State of Nature—a realm of mistrust, power politics, and zero-sum games.
🌐 Examples:
Russia–Ukraine War
Israel–Palestine Conflict
China’s border aggression and Indo-Pacific militarisation
In all these cases, absence of a global Leviathan has led to conflict, validating Hobbes’ warning:
Without authority, there will be war.
✅ Conclusion: Hobbes—A Realist’s Realist
Hobbes built the foundation of modern political realism, showing how peace requires power and how order is a precondition to liberty.
While many challenge his gloomy view of humans, few can deny that in chaotic times—from civil wars to geopolitical tensions—Leviathan reminds us why authority, though imperfect, may be necessary.
🗣️ “Covenants without the sword are but words.” – Hobbes