Hobbes's Leviathan, or is it Hobbes' Leviathan?

Whilst reading through chapter 8 of Book 3 of HWP, I think I found quite a major contradiction (please correct me if I am wrong!).

One of Hobbes' major ideas is that of a covenant that exists in society, it is not a covenant between the people and the ruling power to obey the law; it is a covenant made by the people with each other to obey the ruling power as the majority shall choose. When the people have chosen, they have no political power or freedom.  When the government is chosen, the citizens lose all their rights - except those which the government says they can have.  This is where I feel Hobbes' most important idea is in this chapter: "THERE IS NO RIGHT OF REBELLION", this is because the ruler is not bound a contract or covenant (also due to the people having previously agreed a covenant between themselves and not with the ruler).

Hobbes also talks about the idea of men behaving like bees or ants; where the men don't compete, they don't use reason to criticise the government and they don't desire to have honour over the others. 
Therefore, they have no real control over what they do - because if bees don't do what they're supposed to do, the hive system may collapse and enter a state of anarchy (which Hobbes seems to be obsessed with).

However, later on in this chapter it talks about Hobbes' thoughts on the need for liberty and describes it as a necessity - this view surely contradicts his previous views of the covenant and the citizens having no rights.  Hobbes seems to contradict himself again; he implies that he believes in democracy - but if the covenant exists, there is no democracy or freedom.

I'll leave you to mull over that one...


On a lighter note: if any of you have heard of or watched the TV show 'Dynamo: Magician Impossible', you will know how great some of his tricks are, if you haven't watched it, here is the link to the first part of the first episode on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MUTmHut-Ow

I suggest you watch the rest of episode 1 and the other 3 episodes - he is truly amazing.

TB 2011