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What 17th-century philosopher Thomas Hobbes would say about American democracy today

Ideas

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Hobbes and the Fears of Democracy

This chapter explores the anxieties surrounding liberal democracy through the lens of Thomas Hobbes's philosophy, particularly his notion of an absolute sovereign as a stabilizing force. The discussion highlights contemporary issues like mass deportations and privacy erosion, while distinguishing between fear and anxiety in shaping political behavior and societal outcomes.

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