Abstract

In contrast to social-contract interpretations of Hobbes, I focus on the issue of how he thinks the commonwealth is to be maintained rather than on its creation. Discovering Hobbes's true view on this issue is complicated by the changes in his political writings from 1640 to 1651. Canvassing the texts, we find that although there is strong evidence that Hobbes believes force is indispensable for maintaining order, there is also evidence that threats of force alone do not suffice to maintain political stability. I argue that the failure of force is not due to citizens' willingness to die for their beliefs, as S. A. Lloyd maintains. Rather, the sovereign's ability to make credible threats varies due to a number of factors. A careful examination of Hobbes's writings on disorder reveals that it is a highly complex phenomenon, and also shows that Hobbes believes threats of force must be supplemented by other means if the commonwealth is to last. Among these supplementary means, education of subjects in their civic duties stands out as both important and particularly efficient for helping to maintain the commonwealth. This emphasis on education helps explain the religious portions of Hobbes's political works, and also suggests that Hobbes envisions a political system that is more plausible and less harsh than is often supposed