“ democracy then reproduces, rather than eradicates the competition for a (scarce)
instrumental power that is one source of the war of all against all ” (Apperley, 1999,
p.168). Democracy reproduces competition because individuals use it to pursue their
self-interest rather than the common good. People in a democratic society would then
compete with one another in the hopes of being able to pursue their self-interest. Since
there is no absolute sovereign to oversee this process and regulate the distribution of
resources, individuals have no assurance that they will be heard. They must compete
with one another to ensure that their self-interests are protected.
In conclusion, both Marx and Hobbes argue for the necessity of an authoritarian
government for its ability to suppress people. However, their intentions for an
authoritarian government differ because of how the ends justify the means. For Marx,
a Proletarian Dictatorship is required to suppress the bourgeoise and prevent them
from regaining power. The reason the bourgeoise need to be suppressed is to prevent
them from owning the means of production in which they can oppress the proletariat.
Therefore, Marx’ s intention for an authoritarian government has a liberating end. Once
the bourgeoisie has been suppressed and can no longer retake power, the proletariat is
liberated from the oppressive nature of the capitalist means of production. The
necessity of the state will no longer be needed, and it withers away into a classless
society; individuals will then have the freedom to flourish and enjoy the innate social
nature of production.
Hobbes, on the other hand, believes an authoritarian government is required to
prevent individuals from harming one another. Individuals need to be restrained
because of their selfish and competitive human nature. Therefore, Hobbes’s intention
for an authoritarian government has a protective end. Once an absolute sovereign has
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