Thomas Hobbes' political theory of the social contract is based on his view of human nature as corrupt, untrustworthy, and in a constant "state of war." To escape this situation, individuals agree to a social contract that establishes an all-powerful sovereign, the Leviathan, to enforce laws and order. The Leviathan is given absolute power in exchange for providing security and peace to the people. Hobbes argues this authoritarian system is justified by laws of nature that individuals surrender their natural rights for the sake of security and survival in civil society.