Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher who lived from 1588 to 1679. During the era of absolutism, he was a key figure in political philosophy. He had a negative view of people; he believed that all humans were opportunists and would do anything to improve their position in society. He also believed that people could not be trusted to make decisions on their own and that leadership capable of skillfully managing the country was essential. Therefore, Hobbes believed in an absolute monarchy. It also justified the political actions of King Charles I of England. The writings of Thomas Hobbes were used among members of Parliament and King Charles; they argued about how powerful the king should be. Thomas Hobbes believed that people's judgment is unreliable because they are needy and vulnerable. During the tensions between the king and parliament, England was divided into two opposing parties: the king's defenders and the prosecutors. Disputes between the king and parliament caused Thomas Hobbes to write about his monarchical views. Most of his work was aimed at re-establishing control of the monarchy. «It is understood that the obligation of the subjects towards the sovereign lasts as long as, and no longer than, the power with which he can protect them lasts. Since men have by nature the right to protect themselves, when no one else can protect them, no covenant can be abandoned. "(Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes) This quote explains the loyalty of the people to the ruler. Thomas Hobbes believed that in every republic, the king and the people have duties to each other. This belief is evident in Thomas Hobbes's social contract theory, which advocated the concept through the law of nature. The law of nature demands absolute obedience... middle of paper... 10th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011. 425-26. "Hobbes's philosophy and its historical context". Royal Institute of Philosophy ser. 5 (1930): 175-90. a study of Behemoth." University of Pennsylvania Press 31.2 (1970): 180-98. JSTOR. Network. 4 December 2013. "Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)." Oxford University Press. Np, nd Web. 19 November 2013. .Williams, Garrath. “Encyclopedia of Philosophy on the Internet.” Hobbes, Thomas: Moral and Political Philosophy []. Np, 21 May 2003. Web. 03 December 2013..Zunjic, Bob. "Leviathan." Leviathan. Np, nd Web. 04 December. 2013. .