“Leviathan,” written by Thomas Hobbes in 1651, is a foundational text in political philosophy and social contract theory. Hobbes presents a view of human nature that is fundamentally pessimistic, arguing that in a state of nature, individuals act out of self-interest, leading to a chaotic and violent existence where life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

To escape this chaos, Hobbes advocates for the establishment of a powerful, centralized authority—a sovereign—to maintain peace and security. He argues that individuals must consent to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of this sovereign in exchange for protection and social order. This contract forms the basis of Hobbes’s social contract theory, where the legitimacy of political authority arises from the consent of the governed.

Hobbes emphasizes the necessity of absolute power for the sovereign to effectively control society and prevent conflict, leading to a strong argument for a monarchy or an absolute ruler. The book explores themes of power, authority, and human nature, influencing subsequent political thought and theories about governance and the role of the state. “Leviathan” remains a critical reference point for discussions about authority, state power, and individual rights in political philosophy.