In Thomas Hobbes' Of Commonwealth, Hobbes discusses his views on goverment and human nature. To begin his argument, he states how living creatures, such as bees and ants, coincide peacefully together within their own societies. In the rest of his narrative, Hobbes compares these gregarious organisms are able to successfully live together while avoiding social issues that are the first stepping stones to the ultimatum of war and chaos that the human race has experienced multiple times in history. He explains these times of war and chaos by comparing the characteristics possessed by man that are not possessed by these other forms of life. For example, one of Hobbes' leading points of argument is that humans end up in chaos (without laws) because of the natural tendency of man to compare himself to other members of his society. This natural comparison leads to jealousy and envy, which leads to social problems and imminent chaos. Because humans possess this, and creatures such as bees and ants do not, the human race is the most likely to descend into chaos and war than any other species.
Hobbes believes the ability to reason and speak, and the tendency to compare and compete for dignity and honor are the main reasons why man needs a higher power, in a state, to keep the people at peace. Without this, he believes that the people of the state will eventually reach a situation of chaos, war, and lawlessness.
I have to agree with Hobbes. If you were to look at the country of Somalia, on the east coast of Africa, you would see that it is rated as the most dangerous country in the world for a reason. Since the late 1900's, the goverment has deteriorated into a state in which it is apparent that there is barely any goverment at all. The country is run by small gangs that fight bloodily for power and land. This example proves to me that a state, in this case a country, will eventually become engulfed in war and chaos when a power meant to control the people is absent. The fact that humans will become violent and savage by nature without someone or something to keep them in line is a sad fact, but unfortunately, I believe it's the truth.