The historical political philosopher known for his theories on the state and society is Thomas Hobbes. His seminal work "Leviathan" introduced the idea of the social contract, asserting that individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms to a governing body in exchange for security and order. Hobbes viewed human nature as inherently self-interested, necessitating a strong centralized authority to prevent chaos. His ideas profoundly influenced the development of modern political philosophy and raised critical questions about authority, freedom, and the role of government, setting the stage for later thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.