Influence of God on Early Government

"Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture"
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries God was considered the highest power. If kings and monarchs were believed to be selected by God, then they should be the highest power on the earth. Kings merit absolute obedience because they "act as the ministers of God, and his lieutenants on earth" (p.21). Because God, the all powerful being, has established the king, kings are sacred and the ultimate sovereign on the earth. The king must be accepted, worshiped, and protected by the people in his kingdom, for the king has been appointed by God. By the people, God and the king should be viewed as one and they are obligated to "Fear God, Honor the King" (p.21). Being the ultimate sovereign, the king makes all decisions regarding the state and his judgments are final. If the king were to make a wrong judgment, only he would be allowed to correct or alter his previous decision. The king should be so powerful that "against his authority there can be no remedy except his authority" (p.22). Without this unquestionable authority, the king would be viewed as uncertain, thus he would be taken lightly and not entrusted with the faith of those in his kingdom.

Because the king answers to God and God only, he is solely responsible for all of his actions. God has entrusted the king to lead and govern the state in a professional manner. With this burden placed upon him, the king is obliged to put forth his finest effort in ruling and use their power with "fear and restraint" (p.21). While the kings are not required to be fair, they should use their power for the public good. Given this great distinction, the king should attempt to rule his kingdom as God would. The king should always consider the fact that God has divinely chosen him and can at any time relinquish the king's power and punish him. If the king were to make a mistake and realize he should not hesitate to correct in when "he knows that he has done badly" (p.22). Although the king may be the divine ruler of the state, his actions will always be held accountable for "God can judge their judgments" (p.22).

Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture is the work of Jacques-Benigne Bossuet

"Leviathan"
While nature has made men equal, this same equality has caused man to bicker and wage war, hot and cold, upon one another. Human nature causes man to want to obtain everything he possibly can, and that which he cannot obtain, man desires to have it even more. This jealously and selfishness will never be entirely satisfied because man has unlimited wants and there are only limited resources. When "two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies" (p.23) because they envy what the other has. Because of mankind's numerous desires and selfishness, and "every man is enemy to every man" (p.24). Every other man is an enemy because they are a potential threat to obtain or take something that another wants. These views will cause a continuous selfishness, jealousy, and disorder between men. If these problems, which are likely, arise, then a powerful ruler or government needs to be intact to handle the problem.

Because man is selfish, there needs to be one absolute power to rule and control man. If there is no ruler or government that controls the people then "every man will and may lawfully rely on his own strength and art, for caution against all other men" (p.24). Hobbes does not favor one man, such as an absolute monarch, nor does he favor an assembly of men, similar to British Parliament. The desire is for one authoritative power that has complete control. This one authoritative power will be the only way to rule or govern man. Hobbes calls this one authoritative power the "Common Wealth" (p.24). Only this "Common-Wealth" (p.24) will have enough power and strength to rule and control man and human nature. The "Common-Wealth" (p.24) will have one supreme ruler who will be called the Soveraigne. The Soveraigne will then force his people to be obliged to a covenant. Once in agreement, a monarchy will be in place and every man will be under control. Although Hobbes monarchy is slightly different, because he does not believe that God has chosen or empowered the monarch.

Leviathan is the work of Thomas Hobbes

Two Treatises on Government
Locke believes that human nature, for the most part, is good and that every human should be granted life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With these beliefs, people should set up government to better themselves. While the majority of people are good, some have corrupt views and ways of life. This government "cannot be an absolute, arbitrary power over their lives, liberties and possessions," but rather a body that does away with the corrupt practices of people. The laws the government creates should be "promomulgated established" (p.58) and "for all people" (p.58). Laws should apply to every person regardless of class or social status. The ultimate purpose of the law should be for the advancement of society and in some particular cases, such as taxes on the property of the people, should not go without "the consent of the people" (p.58). The legislature also cannot transfer the power of making laws to another location nor body, without the consent of the people. If the legislature was to become corrupt then the body that it is governing should "forfeit the power the people had put into their hands" (p.58) and have the people establish a new legislature.

While the legislature might not be perfect, under certain circumstances the people should have the right of rebellion. Problems and conflict will occur between the legislature and the governed but "great mistakes" (p.59) not small mismanagement should cause the people to rise up. Although mankind is good, leaders can become corrupt and serve great injustices to people. When leaders "grow exorbitant in the use of their power, and employ it for the destruction, and not the preservation of the properties of their people" (p.59), a change must be made. Government and legislation should not be created to hinder its people but rather for their advancement. The "best for mankind" (p.59) is essential and if one is not allowed to pursue "property, peace and unity" (p.59), a rebellion against the legislation must be made to allow these God given rights.

Two Treatises on Government is the work of John Locke