Hobbesian Trap

Thomas Hobbes underlines three axes that define human quarrels:

1. Competition which spearheads toward gain
2. Diffidence which targets safety
3. and Glory with the objective of reputation 

In his seminal work, Leviathan (1651), Hobbes points out these mechanisms in a succinct language:

So that in the nature of man, we find principal causes of quarrel. First, competition; secondly, diffidence; thirdly, glory. The first market men invade for gain; the second, for safety; and the third, for reputation. The first use violence, to make themselves masters of other men's persons, wives, children, and cattle; the second, to defend them; the third, for trifles, as a word, a smile, a different opinion, and any other sign of undervalue, wither direct in their persons or by reflection in their kindred, their friends, their nation, their profession, or their name. 

The diffidence which can be better translated to fear is the root cause of what is known as the Hobbesian trap or security dilemma in political terminology and in the arena of international relations.