Machiavelli and Hobbes had very different ideas about why we need political authority to keep order in society.

1. Machiavelli's View:

   • Pessimism about People: Machiavelli believed that people are mainly selfish. Because of this, simply being good or moral isn’t enough to keep things running smoothly in politics.
   • Focus on Power: He thought that a good leader needs to put stability and power first, even if it means being dishonest or manipulative sometimes. This can create tough choices since actions that might seem wrong can still help maintain authority.

2. Hobbes' View:

   • Social Contract Idea: Hobbes suggested that people agree to give up some of their freedoms to a ruler to avoid the chaos of living without government.
   • Fear and Control: He believed that fear of violence and disorder justifies this surrender of freedoms. However, this can lead to oppressive governments if the ruler becomes too powerful.

Possible Solutions:

• Checks and Balances: Adding systems that limit a leader's power can help solve the problems that both Machiavelli and Hobbes described.
• Consent and Responsibility: Creating a government that requires people's permission and holds leaders accountable can make sure that political power is used ethically, which can help fix some of the issues in their ideas.