The first alternative is correct (A).
Before the organization of society through governments, men lived in a state without laws that would guarantee their physical integrity, their territory. Historians call this moment "state of nature," which would be a primitive state where conflicts were resolved on the basis of physical combat.
Of course, the weaker individuals and the women and children suffered disadvantages. This state would be extremely stressful, people should be in constant threat.
In this context, all individuals give up some liberty in exchange for the protection of a constituted state. Philosophy calls this moment of The Social Contract.