This paper discusses the concept of
liberalism with reference to Hobbes' and Locke's viewpoints. The author of this paper
explains that both writers discuss the ideas of
government and
liberalism from a different viewpoint to other writers in that they refer to ideas of the nature of man and man's conduct in the 'state of nature' rather than ideas based on religion. While both refer to the concept of a social contract as a way to rule and govern, Hobbes stresses the importance of the monarch as the ruling and powerful entity, while Locke emphasizes the importance of the community and people as the superior aspect