Why did Hobbes argue that a sovereign needed absolute authority?

Thomas Hobbes argued that a sovereign must possess absolute authority to prevent the collapse of civil society into the state of nature, a condition he described as a "war of all against all" where life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."123

His reasoning is rooted in the following principles:

• Enforcement of the Social Contract: Hobbes believed that individuals are inherently self-interested and rational. Because promises alone carry no weight in the state of nature, a social contract requires an enforcer—the sovereign—to punish those who breach their agreements, thereby making justice and peace possible.14
• Prevention of Anarchy: Having witnessed the English Civil Wars, Hobbes concluded that divided sovereignty leads to instability and conflict. He insisted that authority must be undivided to ensure the collective security of the subjects.145
• The Nature of the Sovereign: The sovereign is not a party to the contract but the recipient of the people's transferred right to self-government. Because the sovereign’s will is law and they are not bound by it, they can act as the supreme interpreter of law and scripture, ensuring that no competing authorities—such as churches or legal factions—can undermine the state's stability.435

Ultimately, Hobbes viewed absolute authority as the only reliable insurance against the constant danger of violent death.45