Critically analyze Hobbes’ theory of sovereignty in relation to human rights. How does his legal positivism compare with natural rights theorists like Locke, Kant, and contemporary human rights discourse? Can modern states balance Hobbesian authority with democratic freedoms, or does his model justify state overreach and repression?

Thomas Hobbes' theory in Leviathan advocates for absolute sovereignty, where rights are granted by the sovereign, opposing inalienable human rights. Modern thinkers like Locke and Kant argue for natural rights and democratic accountability. While Hobbes provides insights into order, his rejection of individual liberties conflicts with contemporary human rights frameworks.