Define Hobbes' social contract theory.

In "Leviathan" Hobbes describes the state of nature as a violent place where individuals live in constant fear of each other thus making their lives solitary, poor, nasty and brutish. Deprived from morality individuals act only according to their own interests under the "laws of nature" arguing one may do anything to protect its own interests. Although as the right of nature entitles them to equality and the right to life Hobbes argued society was built on a contract between the sovereign and the people. Indeed society collectively agrees to give up their freedoms in exchange for protection and preventing once again a perpetual state of war. The social contract thus allows for the creation of morality within society and the protection of the citizen's natural rights. Although Hobbes built his social contract theory on the assumption men are in a state of fear and war within the state of nature other social contract theorist such as John Locke defend the state of nature is not equal to the state of war. There are critical differences within contractualism theories to be explore in order to further understand complexities of social contracts.