What Modern Debates Reference Thomas Hobbes On Security?

2025-08-29 21:04:23 274

3 Answers

Violet
Violet
2025-08-30 11:13:24
Whenever I get sucked into late-night thinkpieces or hot Twitter threads I find Hobbes popping up like a stubborn meme — usually through 'Leviathan' and his grim state of nature. I’ve noticed modern debates lean on Hobbes for two big themes: whether a strong sovereign is necessary to preserve order, and how much liberty we can trade for security. During the pandemic, for instance, people quoted Hobbes to justify strict lockdowns and emergency powers; others waved the same quotes to warn against creeping authoritarianism. I remember sipping cold coffee while reading op-eds that compared COVID-era restrictions, the PATRIOT Act, and surveillance expansions post-Snowden to Hobbesian bargains where fear births consent.
Another place Hobbes shows his face is in international relations: thinkers who favor realist policies — preemptive strikes, deterrence, arms races — often echo a Hobbesian view of an anarchic world where states must secure themselves first. Then there’s the digital angle: debates about whether the internet needs a ‘sovereign’ regulator to prevent chaos, or whether decentralized governance (crypto folks, I’m looking at you) can be secure without a Leviathan. Even migration and border control conversations sometimes use Hobbes to argue that unchecked movement threatens the social order.
Personally, I don’t think Hobbes is a single-use tool — he’s a lens. Quoting him can both justify strong protections and warn us about the costs of surrendering freedoms. Whenever someone invokes him, I try to ask: whose safety are we securing, and at what price?
Samuel
Samuel
2025-09-01 03:49:58
I get energized when I see Hobbes’ shadow in today's security fights — 'Leviathan' pops up in discussions about privacy vs. surveillance, pandemic emergency powers, and even cybersecurity governance. People invoke his state of nature to justify strong policing and border control, while critics point to the loss of civil liberties and minority rights. In international affairs, Hobbesian realism explains why states cling to self-help strategies, fueling arms races and cautious alliances.
On a personal note, it’s fascinating (and a little worrying) to watch how quickly public fear can make Hobbesian arguments resurface: headlines about terrorism, pandemic spikes, or major hacks tend to reawaken calls for centralized authority. I try to keep that in mind when I read policy proposals — who benefits from more security, who pays the cost, and whether safeguards for rights are being sidelined.
Una
Una
2025-09-01 16:43:48
When I skim philosophy essays and policy journals I often see Hobbes used as a kind of shorthand for why states centralize power during crises. Policymakers cite his idea that people accept sovereign authority to escape violent anarchy — which has modern echoes in debates over emergency legislation, pandemic responses, and expanded surveillance programs. I find it interesting how jurists who defend broad executive powers will reference 'Leviathan' as philosophical cover, while civil liberties advocates counter with Locke-inspired retorts about rights that shouldn't be suspended.
At the international level, Hobbesian logic fuels realist arguments about sovereignty and self-help: if no global sovereign exists, states must prioritize their own security, hence the security dilemma and arms build-ups. This gets tangled with humanitarian intervention debates — when is it legitimate to breach sovereignty for safety? Cybersecurity is another hot spot: some scholars use Hobbes to argue for stronger global institutions to manage cyber threats; others insist that decentralization and norms-building can preserve liberty without a single enforcer. I often think these debates show Hobbes as a provocation rather than a prescription — a way to frame the tension between order and freedom in very contemporary settings, from drones and counterterrorism to biometric borders and platform moderation.
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Alpha Thomas
Alpha Thomas
Reaching twenty-two, Hera just wanted to celebrate her birthday and fulfill her wish—to lose her virginity to a stranger. However, this leads her to a complicated situation. She lost it to the cruel Alpha of the Dark Midnight Pack. Alpha Thomas was known to be ruthless; a man who would kill without mercy. He’s the strongest werewolf in the magical world. Hera only spent one night with Thomas but she left a wide space in his heart. Knowing the truth about Thomas, Hera wanted to run away from him. Then one day, shocking news filled her world, she was pregnant. This information spreads to the whole magical world until it reaches Alpha Thomas's side. Thomas could feel that he owned Hera’s pups and he would do anything to get them.
10
90 Chapters
Pelican Bay Security
Pelican Bay Security
Pelican Bay Security is full of hot former Navy SEALS, a small costal town in Maine (with a crime problem), and a group of Bakery Girls waiting to cause trouble. When I moved here to set up a new security company as a fugitive recovery specialist, I didn’t plan to find my next-door neighbor breaking into her aunt’s house. I also didn’t expect the random henchmen harassing her for diamonds she insists she doesn’t have.Tabitha is running from an ex-boyfriend, and I desperately want to help. As a former Navy SEAL I have the skills to deal with almost any idiot willing to give his girlfriend a black eye. Her lies, drama, and ex-boyfriend catch up with her and it may not be something I can handle on my own. I just hope if things turn violent, we both come out alive.A fun, humorous romantic suspense series from USA Today bestselling author, Megan Matthews!#explicit #Suggested age 18+Pelican Bay Security is created by Megan Matthews, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.
10
324 Chapters
Modern Fairytale
Modern Fairytale
*Warning: Story contains mature 18+ scene read at your own risk..."“If you want the freedom of your boyfriend then you have to hand over your freedom to me. You have to marry me,” when Shishir said and forced her to marry him, Ojaswi had never thought that this contract marriage was going to give her more than what was taken from her for which it felt like modern Fairytale.
9.1
219 Chapters
The Swift Security Series
The Swift Security Series
Follow Jake Swift and his team of elite ex-military personnel in this series of short stories. Book 1 Saving Erin. Deep in the treacherous ice-cold mountains, Erin is running from a monster when she stumbles upon Jake Swift and his highly trained security team. Will Jake, the handsome, rugged ex-military man, be the one to save her? Book 2 Tank. When a beautiful woman crashes into his life, will Tank be able to save her from the devil himself? Book 3 Laila. Laila has always been the strong, feisty one of the group, but when she finds herself captured, who will be the one to save her? Book 4 Madog. When Ruby turns up for work, what starts as a normal day ends in disaster. Will Madog and the Swift security team get to her in time? Book 5 Ben. He found her; she was broken. It takes a strong man to handle a broken woman, but it takes a stronger woman to come back from being broken.
10
147 Chapters
What?
What?
What? is a mystery story that will leave the readers question what exactly is going on with our main character. The setting is based on the islands of the Philippines. Vladimir is an established business man but is very spontaneous and outgoing. One morning, he woke up in an unfamiliar place with people whom he apparently met the night before with no recollection of who he is and how he got there. He was in an island resort owned by Noah, I hot entrepreneur who is willing to take care of him and give him shelter until he regains his memory. Meanwhile, back in the mainland, Vladimir is allegedly reported missing by his family and led by his husband, Andrew and his friend Davin and Victor. Vladimir's loved ones are on a mission to find him in anyway possible. Will Vlad regain his memory while on Noah's Island? Will Andrew find any leads on how to find Vladimir?
10
5 Chapters
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens
When Covid hits, the Thomas Family decided to pack up their lives in the city and move to Buttershire, to the family mansion on the hill. But there is a secret to the mansion, that no one told the family when they got the keys. Whilst the adults seem oblivious to what is happening around them, the teenage knows that the clock is ticking. What they discover is truly not for the faint of heart.
Not enough ratings
59 Chapters

Related Questions

How Did Thomas The Train Memes Become Popular?

3 Answers2025-10-19 15:43:30
Who would have thought that a beloved children's show could spark such a viral phenomenon? It's fascinating how 'Thomas the Tank Engine,' originally airing to teach little ones about teamwork and friendship, transitioned into a universe of memes. The nostalgia factor plays a huge role. Many of us grew up watching Thomas, so when we see these humorous takes, they resonate deeply. I remember scrolling through meme pages one day and seeing a meme that turns Thomas’s happy demeanor into something utterly ridiculous—like him making dramatic faces in a serious situation. It was hilarious and unexpectedly relatable! Social media is a game-changer for these trends. Platforms like Twitter and TikTok allow users to remix and share content at lightning speed. Various creators started transforming scenes from the show into meme templates. You might find a Thomas meme depicting him complaining about adult responsibilities, which struck a chord with a lot of people caught up in the hustle of daily life. The charm lies in the absurdity: juxtaposing the innocence of childhood with the often chaotic nature of adulthood generates this delightful humor. Also, the flexibility of the characters lends itself quite nicely to various contexts. You’ve got the cheeky antics of Thomas and his friends, which can morph into anything from a critique of modern life to unexpected political commentary. The meme itself can become a cultural commentary, enhancing its appeal. It's amazing how a simple kid's show can evolve into a vehicle for humor and communication among a vast audience. I wonder what other childhood classics could get the same treatment!

Are There Any New Thomas The Train Memes To Check Out?

6 Answers2025-10-19 14:01:57
Recently, I stumbled across some hilarious 'Thomas the Tank Engine' memes that totally had me chuckling! One that caught my eye featured Thomas in an uncanny resemblance to pop culture references. There’s this one meme where Thomas is edited to look like he’s in a dramatic horror movie scene, surrounded by shadowy figures and a suspenseful caption. It’s such a wildcard twist to a childhood classic! It really plays with nostalgia while poking fun at how we view trains in adult life, especially with all the anxiety over deadlines. Then there's the classic Thomas with friends meme, where different engines are given modern-day social media hashtags. For instance, you might see Edward being tagged as #GoodVibes and Gordon with #AlwaysLate. It’s just so spot-on, capturing each character’s essence while casual enough to make you laugh out loud! Honestly, trolling through the subreddit dedicated to this stuff feels very cozy—it’s almost like going back to a simpler time where creativity ran free. I couldn't help but share this with my friends; the blend of humor and nostalgia is truly unbeatable! I love that even simple childhood characters can find new life and laughter in our adult humor. If you haven’t taken a dive into these revamped memes, I can't recommend it enough. They definitely bring a playful twist to those train adventures we grew up watching! It’s such a joy to see how these childhood favorites continue to evolve and capture the imagination of new generations.

What Is Teresa Agnes'S Relationship With Thomas?

3 Answers2025-09-17 07:59:04
Teresa Agnes and Thomas's relationship is one of those complex connections that really captures your attention. They start off as companions in a harsh world filled with uncertainty in 'The Maze Runner' series. At first, they don’t even really know each other. Thomas arrives in the Glade, where Teresa is already established, and there’s this instant spark that’s hard to miss. It’s like they share an unspoken bond, perhaps even a deep connection that transcends their chaotic surroundings. As the story unfolds, Teresa’s arrival changes everything for Thomas. She is not just another Glader; she brings with her memories and a link to his past. This makes what they have unique because both of them struggle with identity and purpose. Their dynamic shifts from mere acquaintances to something much more significant, filled with trust, reliance, and the weight of shared secrets. It’s fascinating to see how their relationship evolves under such dire circumstances; they lean on each other for emotional support while navigating the dangers of the Maze and the WCKD organization. I think it’s also worth noting how their relationship symbolizes hope and resilience amid despair. Though they face life-threatening challenges, Teresa and Thomas challenge each other to be brave and fight back against their captors. By the end of the series, their bond isn't just romantic; it’s built on camaraderie, understanding, and an unbreakable spirit, making those moments they share really sweet and poignant.

What Are Some Iconic Thomas The Train Memes To Share?

3 Answers2025-09-18 08:04:22
As a long-time fan of 'Thomas the Tank Engine', it's impossible not to smile at the iconic memes that have popped up over the years. One that really sticks out is the classic image of Thomas looking downright furious with the caption, 'When you realize it’s Monday tomorrow.' It perfectly captures that collective groan we all feel at the end of the weekend! Then there's the meme with Thomas blowing smoke, and the text says, 'Me trying to adult,' which gives a comedic twist to the struggles of grown-up responsibilities. There's such humor in taking these innocent, childhood characters and throwing them into relatable adult situations. Another meme that's made waves is Thomas shouting, 'I can’t believe you did that!' which is often paired with hilarious situation descriptions, making it perfect for sharing with friends after a ridiculous event occurs. The versatility of these memes is part of their charm; they can transform simple train scenes into moments of sheer comedic relief! Lastly, a personal favorite of mine involves the image of Thomas and friends looking shocked, captioned with something outrageous happening, like 'Me after scrolling through Twitter at 2 AM.' The exaggerated expressions combined with relatable content make these memes a fantastic way to lighten the mood in any online chat or social media platform!

Has Beth Thomas Now Written Books Or Given Interviews?

4 Answers2025-08-24 06:46:58
I’ve dug into this before because that old documentary stuck with me: Beth Thomas is best known for her work in the documentary 'Child of Rage', where she treated a severely traumatized child and discussed reactive attachment disorder. From what I’ve seen, she’s more visible in interviews, documentary follow-ups, and training videos than as the author of a mainstream trade book. A lot of clinicians who work in child trauma show up in professional journals, conference talks, or clinician-targeted manuals rather than supermarket book aisles, and I suspect that’s the case here. If you want to find her voice: search for her name alongside terms like ‘interview’, ‘panel’, ‘lecture’, or the institutions she’s been affiliated with. You’ll often find clips on YouTube, archived interviews, or mentions in articles about attachment and trauma. Also keep in mind there are multiple people named Beth Thomas, so cross-check with the 'Child of Rage' link to be sure it’s the same person. If you’re looking for more reading on the subject, try 'Building the Bonds of Attachment' or 'The Body Keeps the Score' for broader context on trauma treatment — they’ll help you place her work in the bigger picture.

Why Did Thomas Hobbes Trust A Social Contract To Prevent War?

3 Answers2025-08-29 04:24:21
When I first dug into 'Leviathan' during a rainy weekend and a stack of philosophy texts, what hit me was how practical and desperate Hobbes sounded. He had just watched England tear itself apart during the Civil War, and he wasn’t writing dreamy ideals — he was trying to stop people getting slaughtered. For Hobbes, the state of nature wasn't a poetic garden; it was a brutal scramble where everyone has roughly the same ability to kill or be killed, which produces constant fear. That fear, plus the basic drive for self-preservation, makes life in the state of nature intolerable, even if everyone is otherwise reasonably capable and intelligent. So the social contract is a kind of pragmatic trapdoor: give up some freedoms to a common authority so you stop living in perpetual danger. He trusted the social contract because it replaces fear with predictability. If individuals agree, even tacitly, to transfer certain rights to a sovereign who can enforce rules, then everyone gains protected time to pursue projects, commerce, and safety. Hobbes thought people were basically rational calculators when it came to survival: when the expected cost of violence outweighs any gain, consenting to authority is just common sense. Importantly, the sovereign must be able to impose sanctions; otherwise promises are meaningless. That’s why Hobbes leans toward a strong central power — fragile enforcement means the contract collapses back into conflict. I also find his view painfully human in its limits. He assumes fear and self-interest dominate, underplays solidarity and institutional habits, and doesn’t give democratic deliberation much credit. Still, as a diagnosis born out of warfare and chaos, the social contract makes a lot of grim, convincing sense to me — it’s less an ideal and more a peace treaty we reluctantly accept so life can go on.

What Did Thomas Hobbes Believe About Religion And Government?

3 Answers2025-08-30 07:39:33
I got hooked on Hobbes while re-reading 'Leviathan' on a rainy afternoon, tea getting cold as the arguments pulled me back in. What stuck with me most is how he treats religion as part of the same human-made architecture as government. For Hobbes, humans are basically driven by appetite and fear; left to natural impulses we end up in a violent, insecure state of nature. To escape that, people create a social contract and install a sovereign with broad authority to guarantee peace. Religion, then, must not be an independent power competing with the state, because competing authorities are the exact thing that drags people back toward chaos. That’s why Hobbes argues the civil sovereign should determine the public function of religion: who interprets scripture, what doctrines are allowed in public worship, and which religious organizations can operate. He doesn’t deny God outright — his worldview is materialist and mechanistic, but he leaves room for a creator — yet he’s deeply suspicious of ecclesiastical claims that undermine civil peace. In the turmoil of 17th-century England, his point was practical: private religious conviction is one thing, but public religious authority must be subordinated to the sovereign to prevent factions and rebellion. It’s a cold logic in some ways. I find it both fascinating and a little unsettling: Hobbes wants security even if it means tightly controlling religious life. Reading him in the quiet of my living room, I kept thinking about modern debates — how much autonomy should religious institutions have, and what happens when conscience or prophecy clashes with civil law? Hobbes would likely say that order takes priority, and that uncomfortable thought stays with me as I close the book.

How Does Power Shift In 'Bring Up The Bodies' Affect Thomas Cromwell?

5 Answers2025-04-07 15:11:34
Reading 'Bring Up the Bodies' felt like watching a chess game where Cromwell is both player and pawn. He’s at the height of his influence, orchestrating Anne Boleyn’s downfall with ruthless precision. But the power shifts subtly. Henry VIII’s favor is fickle, and Cromwell knows it. He’s always calculating, always aware that his position is precarious. The execution of Anne is a triumph for him, but it’s also a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change. Cromwell’s power grows, but so does his paranoia. He’s surrounded by enemies, and every move he makes is a gamble. The novel shows how power in the Tudor court is a double-edged sword—it elevates you but also isolates you. For anyone fascinated by political intrigue, I’d recommend 'Wolf Hall' to see how Cromwell’s journey begins.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status