Thomas Hobbes is often credited with the theory of the social contract, which is a foundational concept in political philosophy. In his seminal work, "Leviathan," published in 1651, Hobbes argues that individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of a sovereign in exchange for protection and social order. His perspective emphasizes the necessity of a strong governing power to avoid the chaos and violence present in a state of nature, where life is characterized as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." This theory significantly influenced later philosophers, such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.