Hobbes argues that in the state of nature, prior to the establishment of political authority, human beings exist in a condition of war - a "war of all against all". The three main causes of conflict and quarrel according to Hobbes are competition over scarce resources, diffidence or distrust of others' intentions, and the desire for glory or status. Hobbes believes this state of nature is intolerable, and that rational self-interested individuals would agree to establish sovereign political authority to impose order and make social cooperation possible.