Brief Thoughts on Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes

Upon reading Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes it is easy to see how it has come to serve as a cornerstone to the realist view of international relations. It is a well layered and thoroughly drawn out argument of how to construct a stable society or to build a "leviathan" as Hobbes puts it. My only criticism with Hobbes’ great work is his view of man and human nature which serves as the basis for the rest of his argument. The work does an excellent job of addressing the worst of human cognition and behaviors that society does indeed need to protect itself from. However, it fails to address other aspects of human cognition and behavior that should be cultivated. The greatest example of these would be empathy. Empathy is something other than fear that can motivate individuals to come work together. Coincidentally however, Hobbes idea of anarchy or the constant state of war of "every one against every one" may be better applied to states and larger bureaucratic bodies. This is due to the bystander effect or the diffusion of responsibility as well as the effects of technology on the current state of society. Both of these factors greatly reduce the effects of empathy. 

Putting it briefly, the bystander effect occurs when an individual feels a lack of responsibility to act in order to aid another person in need due to the presence of so many other people who could also help. Another matter is the distance between individuals created by modern society and technology. For instance, taking another life is a lot more difficult when it requires more than pressing a button from a place far from the actual violent act. 

As a result of these two factors, states are far less likely to contradict Hobbes’ point of view when compared to the individual. Of course, creating international institutions with the hope of fostering rational bargaining between states has in some ways been able to reduce the need of coercive force but it still seems to be a necessary tool in the current nature of the international community. Hobbes' solution of creating a great leviathan, or an artificial body composed of its members with the sovereign serving as its head would be a far greater challenge for the international community. A sovereign without a means to enforce its will wouldn't be able to function in the system Hobbes describes. On the other hand, the prospect of a sovereign with that kind of power is in many ways disturbing.