The Absolute Regime is a True Form of Government

In this paper, I will argue that Aristotle would consider the absolutist regime a true form of government. I will also argue that Hobbes would consider it unimportant whether an absolutist regime was a true or perverted form of government.

According to Hobbes, the absolutist regime has three key features. Firstly, the absolute ruler must have absolute power (122). The people must abdicate all rights to the sovereign except the right to protect themselves from the danger of death (121). Second, the Leviathan is the people. The Leviathan, or absolutist ruler, has a single head, and its body is made up of all of the people whom he governs (xciii, 9). This form has the single head of a sovereign, but the strength and absolute power come from the people. Hence, the Leviathan is not a particular individual; it is the people. Additionally, Covenants or contracts are made among the people to increase the likelihood of preservation of life (96). Covenants will be binding because they have the threat of force behind them (97). Third, the people cannot object to the government, because by objecting to it, they would essentially be objecting to themselves:

Because every Subject is by this Institution Author of all the Actions, and Judgments of the Soveraigne Instituted; it follows that whatsoever he doth, it can be no injury to any of his Subjects; nor ought he to be by any of them accused of Injustice (124).