Critically examine the relationship between Hobbesian sovereignty and economic thought. Can Hobbes’ vision of an all-powerful state be reconciled with capitalist markets and individual economic liberty? How does his theory influence social contract theories in political economy, particularly the works of Adam Smith, John Rawls, and Robert Nozick?

2nd March 20252nd November 2025 ~ Polity Prober

This essay examines the relationship between Thomas Hobbes' political philosophy and economic thought, focusing on his theory of absolute sovereignty and its implications for capitalism. It discusses how Hobbes' views on human nature align with economic rationality while evaluating the tension between centralized state power and economic freedom, particularly in contemporary debates.