Comparing Mores Utopia, Machiavellis The Discourses,...

Relationship Between the Sovereign and the Subjects in Mores Utopia, Machiavellis The Discourses, and Hobbes The Leviathan Thomas More, Niccolo Machiavelli, and Thomas Hobbes offer models for the relationship between the sovereign and the people in their works Utopia, The Discourses, and The Leviathan. Each argues that ensuring the common good of the people should be the primary goal of the sovereign. However, they differ in the specifics of their descriptions of this relationship and in their explanations of the sovereign’s motivation for valuing the prosperity of the people. An examination of the specified passages in each of these works will clarify the comparison of their models for this relationship. More’s†¦show more content†¦One who attempts to rule in this fashion, not only destroys his own right to rule, he also gives his people sufficient incentive (poverty and discontent) to displace him. More describes the monarch’s responsibilities in general terms from which more specific duties can be inferred. He says that the king has been charged with making the lives of his people more comfortable, protecting them from injustice, insuring that they are fed, and preventing crime through sound administration. Since these duties are presented in contrast with the king who keeps his people poor by confiscating their property, it is reasonable to infer that More expects his king to protect their private property. To protect his people from injustice, the king must provide for a system of laws and adjudication to resolve conflicts. In addition, in providing the example of the good king of Happiland who . . . would ensure that there was always enough money in circulation for ordinary purposes of exchange . . .. More suggests that the monarch should be responsible for promoting commerce. These duties suggest powers inherent in the sovereign’s office. If he is expected to make and enforce the laws, he must have sufficient police power to keep the peace.