R817

Thomas Hobbes’s book //Leviathan//, written in 1651, demonstrates the necessity of a strong centralized government. A government such as this would prevent the atrocities of civil war and disorderly conduct. Hobbes stresses humanity’s demise when following the usual course of human behavior within the state of nature. The state of nature is what Hobbes describes as a world of free for all and no connections to other beings. He believes that under this state of nature with no central authoritative government or ruler war and chaos is inevitable. Hobbes justifies submitting to a sovereign power and relinquishing one’s personal freedoms and liberties to such power in order to receive protection and furthermore gain prosperity through doing so.

Dontigney, Eric. "Hobbes' Hostile Universe." //Suite101.com //. 28 12 2008. 20 Apr 2009 .