Example historical philosophy dissertation topic 1:

‘Bellum omnium contra omnes’ and contemporary regime change.

Writing during the English Civil War, Hobbes stated his belief of the realities of life without government. In elucidating his views further Hobbes gave no space for separation of powers, arguing instead that man should be ruled by a sovereign authority in which the sovereign authority protects. Accordingly, any abuses of power that the sovereign may discharge are a legitimate price for the protection and preservation of peace. He did, of course, however, also concede that when a sovereign’s power to protect is no more, citizens have the right to change allegiance. This dissertation applies the theories and thinking of Hobbe’s to the instances of recent regime change in Libya and Egypt and asks whether the success of the revolutionary forces did or did not conform to Hobbe’s view of the relationship between sovereign authority and citizens with regard to power, protection, peace, and loyalty.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Martinich, A.P. (1993). Philosophy and government, 1572-1651. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Skinner, Q. (1996). Reason and rhetoric in the philosophy of Hobbes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Strauss, L. (1936). The political philosophy of Hobbes; Its basis and its genesis. Oxford: Clarendon Press.