Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) viewed the state of nature as a pre-political condition where humans live without government or laws. He famously described it as “nasty, brutish, and short,” characterized by:

1. Self-Interest: Humans are driven by survival instincts and self-preservation.
2. Competition: Scarcity of resources leads to conflict and a “war of all against all.”
3. Fear and Insecurity: Without authority, life is marked by constant fear and chaos.

Hobbes argued that to escape this state, individuals form a social contract, surrendering some freedoms to a sovereign authority in exchange for security and order. This contrasts sharply with Rousseau’s more optimistic view of natural goodness.