Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher known for his work in political theory, particularly his book "Leviathan." He viewed humans as inherently self-interested and in a constant state of competition, leading to a "war of all against all" in the absence of strong governance. To escape this chaotic state, Hobbes advocated for a powerful, centralized authority—often termed a social contract—to maintain order and security. He argued that citizens would willingly surrender certain freedoms to a sovereign in exchange for peace and protection, emphasizing the necessity of absolute power in government.