"Leviathan," written by Thomas Hobbes in 1651, is a foundational text in political philosophy. In this work, Hobbes argues that a strong central authority, or "sovereign," is necessary to avoid chaos and maintain order in society. He contends that in a natural state, humans are driven by self-interest, which leads to a life that is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." To escape this condition, individuals consent to give up certain freedoms in exchange for security provided by a governing body.
The book delves into the social contract theory, which posits that people come together to form societies by relinquishing some of their freedoms. Hobbes emphasizes the importance of absolute power vested in the sovereign, as he believes that divided authority leads to conflict and instability. The sovereign is tasked with creating and enforcing laws to ensure peace and protect citizens from both external and internal threats.