[PsyOp]

Hobbes was English. Leviathan was essentially a dissertation on the uses, and the justification for use, of state (i.e. monarchical) power. His works were well know to our founding fathers and influenced the development of our Constitution.

I have posted this thread, as well as others which you will find bookmarked at my profile page, as a resource to be used in the political discussion here at Free Republic.

As for his being a liberal icon, he's far from it. Ask any university poly sci professor and he'll probably characterize Hobbes as being right-wing. But its easy to find parallels in what he says and modern liberal thinking, just like Mien Kamp sometimes sounds like it was published by the DNC even though they like to refer to Conservatives as Nazis.

[Maelstrom]

Shall we deconstruct his thinking?

It shouldn't be difficult.

Men's actions are derived from the opinions they of the good or evil, which from those actions rebound unto themselves. - Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651.

Like all over-generalizations this is overly-simplistic. In the political arena, Men's actions are derived as often out of self-interest then any opinions they have of good or evil, and even then those aren't mere opinions, they are *principles*.

All men that are ambitious of military command, are inclined to continue the causes of war; and to stir up trouble and sedition: for there is no honor military but by war; nor any such hope to mind an ill game, as by causing a new shuffle. - Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651.

Like all over-generalizations this is overly-simplistic. The United States stands remarkable as a nation with the economic an military power to crush and occupy her opponents throughout the world and fails to do so. Her ambitious military commanders mostly seek to eliminate threats to her to end a conflict, potential confict or a future conflict within their carreers or lifetimes.

And we can go on with the rest of his quotes similarly.