The Role of the Sovereign in Hobbes' Philosophy

Hobbes' philosophy does not promote totalitarianism. In the 17th century, the state's capacity to regulate individuals' lives was minimal. The concept of an unlimited sovereign means that the sovereign is not accountable to anyone and is not limited by their own laws. However, this does not imply a totalitarian state. Hobbes envisioned that the sovereign should leave many liberties to the subjects, giving them the freedom to make their own decisions. The sovereign's role is to provide a general framework for social interaction that ensures peace and security.