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During World War II, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime carried out the systematic extermination of six million Jews, along with millions of others including Roma, disabled people, political prisoners, and others they deemed “undesirable.” The Nazis used propaganda, strict laws, and military power to spread fear, isolate groups, and justify mass killings in concentration camps and ghettos. This remains one of the darkest examples of human cruelty carried out under the authority of a state.
Hobbes might argue this shows how unchecked power, fueled by fear and competition for dominance, can lead people to commit atrocities when moral limits collapse.

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In the small African nation of Rwanda, tensions between the Hutu majority and Tutsi minority exploded after the assassination of the Rwandan president. Over about 100 days, extremist Hutu leaders encouraged ordinary citizens to take up machetes, clubs, and guns against their Tutsi neighbors and moderate Hutus. Around 800,000 people were killed, often in brutal and personal ways.
Hobbes would say this reflects how fear, distrust, and the collapse of central authority can cause neighbors to turn violently on one another in a “war of all against all.”

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3. The US Capitol Riot (January 6, 2021)

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3. The US Capitol Riot (January 6, 2021)

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After the 2020 presidential election, thousands of supporters of Donald Trump gathered in Washington, D.C., believing the election results were fraudulent. A large crowd stormed the U.S. Capitol, clashing with police, breaking into offices, and halting the certification of the election for hours. The event shocked Americans and raised questions about the strength of democratic institutions.
Through a Hobbesian lens, this shows how people may resort to violence when they lose trust in authority and feel that only force can secure their political goals.

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4. Looting During Natural Disasters (i.e. Hurricane Katrina 2005)

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4. Looting During Natural Disasters (i.e. Hurricane Katrina 2005)

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When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, levees failed, and flooding devastated neighborhoods. Government aid was delayed, and many residents were left stranded without food, water, or shelter. In the aftermath, some people looted stores for survival necessities, while others took nonessential goods, which fueled heated debates about morality and desperation.
Hobbes might argue this demonstrates how, when order and authority collapse, people act out of fear and self-preservation, even if it means breaking laws or harming others.

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Rise of Online Hate Speech (2010-Present)

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Rise of Online Hate Speech (2010-Present)

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With the growth of social media, hate groups have found new platforms to spread racism, misogyny, anti-immigrant sentiment, and conspiracy theories. Online communities often thrive on anonymity, where individuals can express violent or extreme ideas without immediate consequences. In some cases, this online hate has inspired real-world attacks, further deepening social divides.
Hobbes would see this as proof that, without strong regulation or authority, people driven by fear, anger, and the desire for recognition may band together in destructive ways.

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5. Rise of Online Hate Speech (2010-Present)

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5. Rise of Online Hate Speech (2010-Present)

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With the growth of social media, hate groups have found new platforms to spread racism, misogyny, anti-immigrant sentiment, and conspiracy theories. Online communities often thrive on anonymity, where individuals can express violent or extreme ideas without immediate consequences. In some cases, this online hate has inspired real-world attacks, further deepening social divides.
Hobbes would see this as proof that, without strong regulation or authority, people driven by fear, anger, and the desire for recognition may band together in destructive ways.

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Rise of Online Hate Speech (2010-Present)

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6. Charlie Kirk Shooting (September 2025)

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6. Charlie Kirk Shooting (September 2025)

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At a political event in Utah, a gunman opened fire, targeting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Investigators described the attack as politically motivated, raising alarms about the intensity of political polarization in the United States. The violence highlighted how extreme distrust and resentment can erupt into deadly action.
Hobbes might interpret this as evidence that, when people see rivals as threats to their survival or values, fear and hostility can override peaceful cooperation and lead to political violence.

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7. The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s)

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7. The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s)

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During the mid-20th century, Black Americans and allies fought to end segregation, voter suppression, and systemic racism in the United States. Through marches, sit-ins, boycotts, and legal challenges, they pushed for recognition of equal rights under the law. Although they faced violent resistance, the movement brought landmark changes like the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.
From Locke’s perspective, this reflects people asserting their natural rights to liberty and equality, and demanding that government live up to its role of protecting those rights rather than violating them.

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8. Mutual Aid Groups during COVID (2020-2021)

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8. Mutual Aid Groups during COVID (2020-2021)

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When the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally, hospitals became overwhelmed and government responses were often slow or uneven. In many communities, ordinary people created mutual aid networks to share resources like food, masks, medicine, and financial assistance. These groups often operated at the neighborhood level, relying on trust and cooperation rather than official institutions. They provided a safety net for vulnerable people who might otherwise have been left behind.
Locke would interpret this as an example of people using reason and mutual agreement to secure life and property, demonstrating his belief in human capacity for cooperation outside of centralized authority.

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The American Revolution was sparked by growing frustration among colonists toward British rule, especially policies like taxation without representation and restrictions on self-government. Protests and boycotts escalated into armed conflict, as colonists declared their independence and fought for the right to govern themselves. After years of war, they secured victory and eventually established the Constitution and Bill of Rights, laying the foundations for a democratic republic.
Locke would argue this shows people exercising their right to overthrow a government that failed to protect their liberties, forming a new one based on consent and the protection of natural rights.

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11. Environmental Activism led by Greta Thunberg (2018 - Present)

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11. Environmental Activism led by Greta Thunberg (2018 - Present)

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Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teenager, began protesting outside the Swedish Parliament in 2018 to demand stronger government action on climate change. Her “school strike for climate” quickly grew into a global movement, with millions of young people joining her in marches, speeches, and strikes across more than 150 countries. Thunberg has addressed world leaders at the United Nations and other international forums, challenging governments and corporations for failing to act quickly enough to prevent irreversible harm. She frames climate inaction as a betrayal of younger and future generations, since it jeopardizes their health, security, and access to resources.
From Locke’s perspective, this activism represents people asserting their natural rights to life and property, since environmental destruction threatens human survival and shared resources. It also reflects Locke’s belief that governments exist only by the consent of the governed and must be held accountable when they neglect their responsibility to protect those rights.

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12. Community Response to Mass Shootings (2000s - Present)

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12. Community Response to Mass Shootings (2000s - Present)

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The United States has experienced repeated tragedies from mass shootings in schools, places of worship, nightclubs, and other public spaces. In the aftermath of such violence, communities often organize vigils, offer support to survivors and families, and call for legislative change. Survivors and advocates frequently push for new gun regulations, stronger background checks, or mental health services in hopes of preventing future violence. These responses reflect both grief and a demand for government action.
Locke might argue that such responses show people turning to government to uphold its most basic duty: to protect the natural right to life. When citizens feel unsafe, they expect their leaders to create laws that secure their safety and prevent violence, and when leaders fail to do so, Locke would say change is justified.

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9. Cultural Festivals and Community Celebrations

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9. Cultural Festivals and Community Celebrations

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Across the United States, communities regularly hold cultural festivals, parades, and heritage celebrations. Events like Lunar New Year parades, Juneteenth festivals, Pride marches, or local cultural fairs bring people together to share traditions, art, music, and food. These celebrations highlight diversity, strengthen community identity, and create spaces where people feel recognized and valued. They are often organized by ordinary citizens working with local governments or civic groups, showing cooperation between individuals and institutions.
From Locke’s perspective, these festivals demonstrate how people, through free association and consent, create structures that enrich life and liberty. They embody his belief that humans are capable of cooperation and that government exists to safeguard the space where individuals can enjoy their rights and cultural identities.