Leviathan
Title
Leviathan
Description
In Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan, the influence of Italian political ideas is clearly evident throughout the book. Hobbes’s specifically parallels Machiavelli’s focus on the unity and security of a state in the Prince. This idea of state unity is very important in a political sense, because with stability a state is able to flourish and improve the life of its citizens. Hobbes was writing Leviathan during the Glorious Revolution (1688-1689), which was an especially brutal civil war. With the unending chaos, Hobbes was obligate discuss the impact state stability in a political mindset and Machiavelli circumstance and writings shared similarities to Hobbes’s own situation (ONBAŞI 31). In addition Machiavelli's influence on Hobbes’s stance on the stability of a state, he was also significant in developing Hobbes concern of a public political morality, rather than a private morality. Hobbes then transforms this idea about public political morality, by stating it is riddled by the instinct of human preservation (ONBAŞI 33). This lack of trust of the individual is a key component of Hobbes idea of contract between the residents of a state and the supreme authority (Wiesner Hanks 280).
These political ideas revolutionized political thought across Europe and led to more political discourse about the relationship of the citizens with the ruler, which would prompt others to question political theories. These ideas were especially, because of the political legacy they left behind. Monarchs began initiating reforms such as religious freedom to varying degrees throughout Europe, such as France’s temporary tolerance of Protestants, which wasn’t very effective. In addition to this, monarchs began reforming laws and giving people more freedoms, and evening claiming to tax themselves. Through these political reforms, it clear that Hobbes’s political ideas, were influenced by Italian political thought.
These political ideas revolutionized political thought across Europe and led to more political discourse about the relationship of the citizens with the ruler, which would prompt others to question political theories. These ideas were especially, because of the political legacy they left behind. Monarchs began initiating reforms such as religious freedom to varying degrees throughout Europe, such as France’s temporary tolerance of Protestants, which wasn’t very effective. In addition to this, monarchs began reforming laws and giving people more freedoms, and evening claiming to tax themselves. Through these political reforms, it clear that Hobbes’s political ideas, were influenced by Italian political thought.
Creator
Thomas Hobbes
Source
Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. 1651. University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Date
1651
Rights
Public Domain
Citation
Thomas Hobbes, “Leviathan,” HIST 139 - Early Modern Europe, accessed August 6, 2026, https://earlymoderneurope.hist.sites.carleton.edu/items/show/127.