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Leviathan is one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory. A classic western work on statecraft comparable to Machiavelli's The Prince. Written during the English Civil War (1642-1651), Leviathan argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign.

The book is considered one of the most important works of political philosophy in history. In the book, Hobbes argues that in a state of nature, where there is no government or society, life would be&quote;solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.&quote; In order to escape this state of nature and establish a stable and peaceful society, Hobbes proposes that individuals must give up some of their rights and submit to the authority of a sovereign ruler, or&quote;Leviathan.&quote; The book explores the concept of a social contract, in which individuals agree to give up certain rights in exchange for protection and security provided by the state. Hobbes also explores the nature of power, how it is acquired, and how it is maintained. He argues that the only legitimate form of government is absolute monarchy, in which the ruler has complete control and the power to make laws and enforce them.