Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau have many ideas in common, but like anyone else they disagree on quite a few things. In some writings one political philosopher will argue against another philosopher and in another writing they will be using another philosopher's argument to their benefit. Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau have all written social contracts that have created the basic concept for politics today. Whether their effects on society were in a good or bad way, their influence has changed the way the states work.
             When reading and analyzing philosophers writings it is important to know their biographical background, the time that they lived in and other important events that might have effected their writings. Thomas Hobbes lived from 1588- 1679. He was born to an impoverished clergyman in Malmsbury, England. He was employed by a noble family and later was a tutor for royal families. In 1629, Hobbes published his first writing which was a translation of Thucydides. His second publication was in 1642 entitled De Cive. Finally, was his most famous book entitled Leviathan, which was published in 1651. The Leviathan has with out a doubt had the most effect on his readers.
             Hobbes' writings in the Leviathan are his visions of what it would be like to live in a "state of nature" or a place without government. It is made clear that he thinks it would be a horrible place. He writes
             where every man is enemy to every man....wherein men live without other security...no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short (Hobbes 403).
             People would be clashing together at every moment and for every reason. In the state of nature man is rapped up in his own interests. They are always trying to better themselves and fight for the neces...