Leviathan

Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes is one of the most influential works in Western political philosophy. In this book Hobbes outlines his theory of the state's origin nature and role in society arguing that a strong centralized authority is necessary to prevent chaos and disorder. The central premise of Leviathan is Hobbes' belief in the inherent selfishness and brutality of human nature which he argues leads to a state of nature where life would be solitary poor nasty brutish and short.To avoid this anarchy Hobbes proposes the establishment of a social contract where individuals surrender some of their freedoms to a sovereign authority (the Leviathan) in exchange for security and order. This authority whether in the form of a monarch or a government must have absolute power to maintain peace and prevent the collapse of society. Leviathan has had a profound influence on political thought particularly on ideas regarding the relationship between the individual and the state the role of government and the nature of human rights. It remains a cornerstone in the study of political philosophy and social theory.