Eka Harke   May 6, 2018   Thomas Hobbes "Leviathan"

 

Coercion or Reason? 

It is interesting how, without realizing it, we sometimes look at the world as if things were black and white. The truth is, it all depends, and the world order does anything but stand still. Any discussion involving sovereignty and commonwealth, or realism vs. institutionalism would be valid if every nation in the world saw things the same way. But that, of course, is not the case. As we ponder whether Thomas Hobbes is a realist (coercive power is inescapable), or a liberal (you can reach rational arrangements), it makes me think of the world order today.

Studying international realm truly requires looking at all international actors so we can see how they define the system, and how they see themselves in it. It is hard to disagree that as an actor, the United States differs greatly from North Korea, China, Russia or Syria. In this context, does the question of coercion vs. reason still stand? The issue of inequality within sovereign states is so complex in today’s world, that even the definition remains unclear (post-Soviet countries still trying to establish their place in the world, for instance), and “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” definitely still apply.   

There’s a value in reflection on many topics raised in Leviathan, and to me, the issue of language hardly takes a back seat. It has gained an entirely new identity in today’s world. The concepts of social media communication, disinformation and statement analysis in journalism (as opposed to reporting of facts) are a nod to uses of language as described by Hobbes.

Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan remains relevant to this day.