Which Enlightenment thinker best represents the ideas of how Napoleon ran his empire?

The correct answer is Thomas Hobbes, as his ideas closely align with the way Napoleon Bonaparte governed his empire. Hobbes is known for his belief in strong central authority and the necessity of a powerful ruler to maintain order and prevent chaos. In his work "Leviathan," he argues that individuals in a society enter into a social contract, agreeing to surrender some freedoms in exchange for security and stability provided by an absolute sovereign.

Napoleon embodied this philosophy through his autocratic style of leadership. He centralized power within the state and held a firm grip over both the military and the government, reflecting Hobbes' views on the importance of a strong leader. While he implemented several reforms and advanced the principles of the French Revolution, his authoritarian rule and reliance on military force to maintain control resonate with Hobbes' vision of governance. This centralization of power and the emphasis on order over individual liberties are central themes in both Hobbes' philosophy and Napoleon's administration.