Of Commonwealth by thomas hobbes?

Question

does hobbes think that fear is the only reason for obeying the sovereigns?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Yes, in a way. Fear that pre-dates to the (imaginary) state of nature, where each person rules -- his question: what if you are weak? In the state of society, you can be weak and still protected and hence not fear the stronger person as sovereign will take care of that. Problem is, as Machiavelli stated, what if you are the strong man -- won't you find a way of coming ahead in the civil state too ... yet, perhaps the weaker man is ultimately better of with some protection and thus less fearful of going to bed.