Fredom at any cost

Freedom vs Security Freedom is good. But security is better. That was Tomas Hobbes believed. He made this point by imagining what it would be liked to live without government laws or society. In this state of nature you could do whatever you wanted to. But anyone else could do whatever they wanted to to you. You have plenty of freedom, but you'd leave in constant fear. It would be grim. You wouldn't be able to trust anyone. Even the weakest could kill the strongest by stealth. It would be difficult to cooperate or even survive. Live Hobbes claimed would be solitary poor nasty brutish and short. Anyone would do whatever they could do avoid living like that. Hobbs suggested the way out. People in the state of nature could make a social contract. to put a strong leader. a souvereign or perhaps a government in power over them to keep the peace. Individuals will join together and handover many of their freedoms. most of them in fact. But it will be worth it to gain security and escape the terror of the war of all against all. The state could than rule with an iron rod if neccesary. Or light touch if not. That was Hobbes thought. And it is justification for having a strong souvereign of government with extensive power over the people. Trouble is... what you end up with may be peace. But at the cost of a frightently powerful state.