Niccolo machiavelli suggested that the basis of the state and the ruler's authority is neither justice nor law, but power. he also stated that any means to this goal could be used and that the ruler of a state was not bound by any ideals of good and evil. according to machiavelli, no person had any rights except those that were given by the ruler as a bribe for keeping order. thomas hobbes believed the purpose of the state was to control the evil nature of man and to compel man to act morally, to cooperate with others, and to act in his own best interests. these things, said hobbes, could not be expected of man if he were away from the control of the
government.
the state’s authority is determined by the people.
men have natural rights of life and liberty.
the power of the state is needed to control man’s desires.
the basis of the state is law and justice.