Hobbes believe that in the state of nature (before any civilization, societal structure, or laws were formed), everyone is equal in both force and intelligence.
When two equals want the same resource (land, water, food, etc), they have equal chances of getting it, which results in animosity, inspiring types of strife/war such as competition (violence against another to gain resources) and insecurity (violence against another to defend one’s own resources). The involvement of violence is not necessarily evil, but rational. At this time there is no established order, and humans must individually fight with all their might to survive. Another violent response to animosity is the glory, which is not rational but egotistical.
As time progresses, people creates a civilized society to reduce strife and warring. By voluntarily giving up certain rights, citizens form a reciprocal social contract that accounts for violation via punishment.
- Competition: Although resources are still limited, people will undoubtedly prefer less violence while guaranteeing their right to life. People getting exclusive access to resources do not always need all of the resources to live, and they too would prefer less violence by sharing any surplus.
- Insecurity: In a social contract, people no longer feels insecurity since the contract greatly reduces the chance of someone resorting to violent actions to defend their resources, since the punishments in the social contract significantly reduces the chance of violent actions from others.