Development of Liberal State

Hobbes:

The notion of liberal state is an ancient. The exact advent of a liberal state cannot be determined which can satisfy one and all. However, many scholars had suggested about the liberal state. This ideology can be found in the literatures of social contract theoretician Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679). In his two noted works, De due (1642) and Leviathan (1651), he made definite statements and comments which lay the foundation of liberal thought or about the liberal state. The basis of the state or civil society is the individuals who are free and equal. It suggests that these free and equal individuals without being induced or forced by external authority or power decided to build up a civil society.

The state envisaged by Hobbes is liberal because it is based on the agreement of all the individuals. Hobbes's individuals lived in an imaginary place called state of nature which was considered by insecurity and in order to get rid of it, they laid the foundation of state.

Hobbes also regarded a state which would be based on rules and law. His state is a legitimate one. Today, when people talk of a liberal state, legitimation always occupies a major portion in human mind. Though, Hobbes is normally portrayed as an illiberal intellectual who wanted an authoritarian government, his writings foreshadow a limited government. He said that though the dominance is absolute, he cannot prevent a person from taking food, medicine and take action against any attack.

Sovereign has no power to impose any injury upon any individual. It cannot prevent anybody from practising religious acts and following particular faiths. In simple language, Hobbes thought of a limited state which is a liberal state. His concepts about liberal state or liberalism are different from the present day thinkers.

Locke and Liberal State:

John Locke (1632-1704) is another philosopher who developed theoretical framework for liberal state. In fact, his entire Second Treatise (1690) is full of numerous statements and comments which displayed that he was a great advocate of liberal state.