How did Hobbes affect our concept of government?

Thomas Hobbes significantly influenced modern political philosophy with his ideas on social contract theory and the necessity of a strong, centralized authority. In his work "Leviathan," he argued that in the absence of government, human life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," necessitating an absolute sovereign to maintain order and prevent chaos. His views laid the groundwork for later theories on governance, emphasizing the importance of authority and the legitimacy of state power in ensuring societal stability. Hobbes' perspective shifted the conversation about government from divine right to a more secular and rational basis for political authority.