Which political theorist argued that a strong government was necessary to avoid chaos?

The political theorist who argued that a strong government was necessary to avoid chaos is Thomas Hobbes. In his seminal work, "Leviathan," published in 1651, Hobbes presents a view of human nature that is fundamentally pessimistic. He posits that in a state of nature, individuals act out of self-interest, which can lead to conflict and anarchy. To escape this condition, Hobbes advocates for the establishment of a powerful sovereign authority that can enforce laws and maintain order. This strong government is essential to safeguarding citizens from the chaos that would ensue without it.

Hobbes' ideas highlighted the necessity of social contract theory—where individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms to a governing body in exchange for security and protection. This perspective marked a significant departure from earlier theories that emphasized individual rights and limited government, which were more prominent in the works of other theorists like Locke and Rousseau. While Montesquieu later contributed thoughts on the separation of powers as a means to prevent tyranny, Hobbes remains distinct in his argument for a robust, centralized authority to ensure societal stability amidst the inherent conflicts of human nature.