How were Thomas Hobbes and Catherine the Great similar in their governance philosophies?

Thomas Hobbes and Catherine the Great share a common philosophy regarding governance in their belief that a monarch should wield absolute authority. Hobbes, in his work "Leviathan," articulated a vision of a powerful sovereign as necessary to prevent chaos and maintain order in society. He argued that individuals in a state of nature would act in their own self-interest, leading to conflict, and therefore, a strong, centralized authority was essential to provide security and stability.

Similarly, Catherine the Great, as Empress of Russia, embraced the idea of an enlightened autocracy, where her authority was central to governance. She sought to modernize and strengthen the state, believing that a powerful monarch could enact reforms for the benefit of the people, but ultimately under her sole authority. This alignment in their views positions both Hobbes and Catherine as proponents of strong, absolute monarchy, reinforcing the belief that centralized power was crucial for effective governance.