Foundations of Government: Hobbes and the State of Nature

Foundations of Government: Thomas Hobbes

by Mr. Boswell

What is a government?

• A government is a system or group of people who make decisions for a larger group of people.

• These people may be elected (chosen by the larger group) or take charge by force.

What if there was no government?

• Let's pretend that there is no government.

• What is life like?

• Is it rainbows, unicorns, and everyone having a great time?

• Or is it the Purge?

Thomas Hobbes

• According to Hobbes, life before government was the "state of nature."

• Life was tough because everyone was doing what they wanted and no one cooperated.

• He believed the government's job was to keep citizens safe by keeping order and security.

Let's Play...a GAME!

The Game

Who wants BONUS POINTS??? Of course you do! In this game, you want to earn as many points as you can.

The Rules

Each round, you will either write down that you want 1 point or 3 points. These points will be added to you next quiz. There will be 6 rounds and the points will accumulate so that they cannot lose any points you’ve already won. The teacher will keep track of each individuals point totals.

The Rules Part 2

If “all” students write down 1 point then everyone gets 1 point added to their next or last quiz. Students may write down 3 points, but only 3 or fewer students can claim the 3 points.

The Rules Part 3

If more than 3 students claim 3 points then everyone loses all of their points for that round (even the people who only wrote down 1). Points already won in previous rounds cannot be taken away, but points in the present round being played can be lost.

The Rules Part 4

There will be six rounds. The first three rounds the students cannot talk or send messages to the group. The final three rounds they can speak to anyone anywhere in the room or Zoom room.

Poll

How many points do you choose?

• 1

• 3

Poll

How many points do you choose?

• 1

• 3

Poll

How many points do you choose?

• 1

• 3

Note

You may now talk and send group messages in the chat to influence people.

Poll

How many points do you choose?

• 1

• 3

Poll

How many points do you choose?

• 1

• 3

Poll

How many points do you choose?

• 1

• 3

Aha! Wait...there is one more round!

• Now, I am going to move four students to the waiting room.

• The rest of the class will work together to share a pot of 62 points!

Round 7

• Students in the group will be able to write any number. If the group total adds up to 62 or less, the group gets the points.

• If not the students in the waiting room get them!

• Note to the group: Remember you must work together to get under 63!

Open Ended

How many points do you choose?

So what happened?

• Who won?

Open Ended

What made it so hard to cooperate?

Open Ended

What made it so hard to cooperate?

Open Ended

This game represents the real world. Instead of points, we have food, water, natural resources, clean air. What keeps people from taking all they want in the real world?

Open Ended

Was it easier or harder to cooperate when the four students were sent outside? Why?

How the government is supposed to help?

• The government provides the ability to protect people, make things fairer but also means you don't always get to do what you want.

• You give up some of your "freedom" for "security"

• Just like you gave up the chance for 3 points by working together to get 1 point.

Balancing Act

• Depending on what your political beliefs are, you may want more "freedom" or more "security."

• The government has a balancing act, since we want the freedom to do what we want, but also want to feel safe and know that those who break the rules will be punished.

• Which one do you want more of?

Connection to Now

• Masks!

• Just like in our game, we must cooperate by wearing our masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• If too many people don't do this, the disease continues to spread, making it more dangerous for everyone!

Think about it!

• Can you think of an example of people cooperating to achieve a goal?

• What happens if everyone only looks out for themselves?