I would say Conrad. He is far more superior to Machiavelli, Hobbes and Locke.

As I expressed earlier, I believe Machiavelli is not even close to the answer. I do not consider the Renaissance as Modern Day. I am sure Skirata will mention Karl Marx, but in reality had did create a whole vision for Earth, perhaps sparking a new age of thought. Communism rapidly spread and died. But I wouldn't say he began a more modern way of thought. I do not have a name to give you, but I do not believe any of the ones you list are correct. I am only familiar with philsophers before the Modern Era.