PHL100Y1 Lecture Notes - Absolute Monarchy, Thomas Hobbes, Noble Lie
Document Summary
It is undivided that is possessed by a single actor, or there will be no authority. It is absolute extending to any and all things, just as each of the transferred rights do. It is perpetual, to guarantee stability: it"s important to note that these are features of any government that claims to be sovereign. The form of government, once established, cannot be changed. The sovereign power is not forfeited by any action. The actions of the sovereign power cannot be challenged, or even questioned. This does not preclude the government from changing its own form, of course; it merely means that there is no popular" right to change it: hence no right to rebel. The relevant retained rights, for hobbes, are those that deal with putting oneself in direct physical danger: an individual always retains the right of self-defence, the right against self- incrimination, the right against (involuntary) conscription. But hobbes, as often, throws in a wrinkle.
