Part 2 Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis

Hobbes defines the commonwealth in greater detail. The final end or desire of men in giving up part of their freedom and restraining themselves is to seek protection for their own lives and those of their family members in order to have a better life. When there is no power over a person to keep them in order by threatening them with punishments then the commonwealth cannot be successful, as stated previously. The laws of nature themselves are not enough to keep people in order. Covenants without potential punishment are just words, and words cannot secure man alone. If there is no power erected, then every man will rely on his own strength and judgment to get what he wants and needs.

Simply banding together will not give people the protection they need because two families joined are not...