Hobbes claimed that such a life would be "nasty, brutish, and short." According to Hobbes, to escape the chaos of their natural state, people entered into a contract in which they agreed to give up their freedom to a ruler who ensured peace and order. Hobbes believed the best government was one in which the ruler had absolute power. Furthermore, Hobbes insisted, once people entered into such a contract, they could not rebel, even if they thought the ruler was a tyrant. Hobbes' ideas, therefore, supported the rule of absolute monarchs. Though Hobbes favored a monarchy as the most efficient form of sovereignty, his theory could apply equally well to king or parliament. It is difficult to determine how Hobbes influenced American government. At first glance his ideas on government seem to be exactly the opposite of all that America is and its government is based on. However, the fact that he deems it completely necessary and in fact, vital to man's survival that he be governed, is what is in unity with American government.
Another major contributor to United States government was John Locke. In 1690, Locke published "Two Treaties on Government." Locke agreed with Hobbes that the purpose of government was to establish order in society. He also saw government as a contract between the ruler and the ruled. Locke thought people were basically reasonable and would cooperate with each other. Moreover, Locke argued that rulers could stay in power only as long as they had the consent of those they governed. If a ruler were a tyrant, he or she had broken the contract, and the people had the right to rebel. Locke presented some very important ideas. He believed people had natural rights, including the right of life, liberty, and property. Government was responsible for protecting these rights, but its power should be limited. Locke's philosophies formed much of the basis upon which U.S. government was formed.