Sidenote because I agree with the main thrust of your argument, but: > A very Hobbesian view of society, I see. Not at all. The central argument in Hobbes' Le

Sidenote because I agree with the main thrust of your argument, but: > A very Hobbesian view of society, I see. Not at all. The central argument in Hobbes' Leviathan is that most people are basically decent and reasonable, but that we need a strong, consistent rule of law in which to relax our guard and build personal, civic and business relationships with each other in a positive sum game where everyone benefits. It is the fear of violence and death in the absence of the rule of law that leads to the Hobbesian trap: a tragic situation in which someone who doesn't want trouble ends up pre-emptively raiding someone else who also doesn't want trouble, simply because they have no way to trust one other.