Thomas Hobbes was a political philosopher who had a major impact on the way people think about government. In his 1651 book, Leviathan, he argued that the only way to keep society from falling into chaos is for people to give up their rights and submit to an absolute ruler.
Hobbes believed that the main purpose of government is to protect the people from harm. He believed that people are naturally selfish and will do whatever is in their own best interest. This can lead to conflict with others and make them less safe. According to Hobbes, an absolute monarch can solve this problem by forcing everyone to obey laws that protect them from harm.
In addition to protecting people from harm, Hobbes believed that governments have another important role: keeping peace between nations. He said that war between countries leads to more deaths than any other cause except disease, which means that if war can be avoided, it should be avoided at all costs (which may include giving up some freedoms).
In Leviathan, Hobbes argues that people should give up their rights so they can live in peace under an absolute ruler who has total control over everything they do — even what they think or say!
