Thomas Hobbes, in his seminal work 'Leviathan' (1651), provided the first comprehensive and systematic account of the social contract theory. He argued that individuals in a state of nature, driven by fear of violent death, enter into a covenant to surrender their rights to an absolute sovereign in exchange for security and order.

Thomas Hobbes, in his seminal work 'Leviathan', established the foundations for the concept of legal sovereignty. He argued that for a society to avoid the chaos of the state of nature, there must be a supreme, undivided authority—the Leviathan—whose commands constitute the law. This legalistic view of sovereignty as the ultimate source of law became a cornerstone of modern political theory.

Thomas Hobbes is often viewed as a paradox; while he advocates for an absolute sovereign (Leviathan) to prevent chaos, his starting point is the radical individualism of the state of nature. He treats individuals as self-interested, rational actors, which provides the foundation for modern liberal individualism, even though his conclusion demands the total submission of those individuals to the state for their own preservation.

Thomas Hobbes argued for absolute sovereignty and the state's supremacy over religious institutions. John Locke championed limited constitutional government to protect natural rights. Jean-Jacques Rousseau articulated the concept of popular sovereignty, asserting that power resides with the people. J. S. Mill was a staunch defender of individual liberty, particularly freedom of thought and expression, which are essential for a healthy representative democracy.

While Hobbes is often associated with absolute power, he argued that the sovereign has a duty to ensure the safety and welfare of the people, which implies a moral obligation. However, this attribution is debated, as Machiavelli is usually the one associated with the separation of morality from politics. The source answer is preserved as requested.

Social contract theory is primarily associated with Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who used the concept of a hypothetical agreement to explain the origin and legitimacy of political authority. Herbert Spencer, conversely, is known for his work in sociology and his application of evolutionary theory to social development, often advocating for social Darwinism and a minimal state based on biological principles rather than a contractual agreement between individuals and the state.

Hobbes argued that in the state of nature, there is no common power to enforce laws or justice. Consequently, there is no concept of 'right' or 'wrong' or property. Individuals possess only a 'right of nature'—the liberty to use their own power for self-preservation, which effectively results in a state of war where no stable rights exist.

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher who is widely recognized for his foundational work in political philosophy, most notably his treatise 'Leviathan'. He was born in Westport, near Malmesbury, England, in 1588. His theories on the social contract and absolute sovereignty remain central to the study of political science and the evolution of the modern state.

In his seminal work 'Leviathan,' Thomas Hobbes argued that the state of nature is a condition of constant conflict and 'war of all against all.' To escape this, individuals enter a social contract to surrender their rights to a sovereign power. Hobbes believed this sovereign must possess absolute, undivided authority to prevent the return of chaos and ensure the survival of the commonwealth.

Thomas Hobbes, in his work 'Leviathan', argues that the laws of nature are essentially dictates of reason that guide individuals toward self-preservation and peace. He characterizes these laws as 'laws of prudence' because they represent the rational choices individuals make to escape the state of nature, which is a state of war. By following these laws, individuals act in their own best interest to ensure security and stability.