Why does Hobbes's version of the social contract give absolute power to a sovereign?

A.

the sovereign is the smartest citizen and knows what's best for the people

B.

the sovereign won the democratic election

C.

the sovereign is destined to lead because of divine right

D.

only the sovereign is capable of protecting people from the state of nature

Hobbes's version of the social contract gives absolute power to a sovereign because (D.) only the sovereign is capable of protecting people from the state of nature.

Hobbes, who was a Royalist, rejected the theory that supported the divine hereditary right of kings; however, he did believe in the sovereign's unlimited power. According to him, only one leader was capable of protecting the state of nature, essentially characterized by war, by achieving his purpose: avoiding self-destruction and establishing peace. Furthermore, unlike Locke, Hobbes believed that the social contract was non-terminable and non-renewable.