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In this study, it is discussed power, authority and governance in political philosophy, so it will be tried to discuss some political philosophers’ views such as Thomas Hobbes and Nicolo Machiavelli.  Both helped form the basis of modern political theory. Hobbes is one of the greatest philosophers in political philosophy. In Leviathan, Hobbes divides power into two kinds: natural and instrumental power. According to him, there was a war in the state of nature. People transferred their rights and set up a commonwealth to keep peace, because the natural powers were not enough to do this. People transferred their rights to one man or an assembly. Commonwealths and sovereigns arose from transferring rights and mutual fear.  There is one power in the commonwealth. Hobbes calls this sovereign power absolute power. Machiavelli is also another important philosopher in political philosophy. In his famous book The Prince, he defends the single ruler. For Machiavelli, prince must be very powerful to secure his state. State is the most important thing, for him, so prince can use all means to attain ends. For him, power defines political activity and the ruler must know how power is used. Authority and power are coequal for Machiavelli, so authority is impossible apart from the power. To provide the security is the necessity for the sovereign for Hobbes and Machiavelli, so it can be said that power and authority are important elements of their political opinions.

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NUR GULCAN (Turkey) 13709
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