Social Contract Theory

Definition

Social contract theory is a political philosophy that explores the relationship between individuals and the state. It examines the implicit agreement between citizens and the government, where citizens agree to follow the rules and laws set by the state in exchange for protection of their rights and the maintenance of social order.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Social contract theory suggests that individuals willingly surrender some of their natural rights to the state in order to enjoy the benefits of living in an organized society.
2. The social contract is a hypothetical agreement, not an actual written document, that serves as the basis for the legitimacy of political authority.
3. Thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were influential in the development of social contract theory.
4. Social contract theory is often used to justify the existence of government and the authority of the state over its citizens.
5. The social contract can be seen as an ongoing negotiation between the citizens and the government, where the terms of the agreement can be renegotiated or challenged over time.

Review Questions

• Explain how the social contract theory relates to the concept of natural rights and the state of nature.
  • According to social contract theory, individuals in the state of nature possess certain natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property. However, this state of nature is also characterized by a lack of political authority and the potential for conflict. To protect these natural rights and maintain social order, individuals agree to a social contract, where they surrender some of their natural rights to the state in exchange for the state's protection and the establishment of a stable political system.
• Describe the role of the state in the social contract theory and how it relates to the legitimacy of political authority.
  • In social contract theory, the state is seen as the entity that is responsible for upholding the terms of the social contract. By providing protection for the citizens' natural rights and maintaining social order, the state gains legitimacy in the eyes of the citizens. This legitimacy is based on the implicit agreement between the citizens and the government, where the citizens willingly submit to the state's authority in exchange for the benefits of living in an organized society.
• Analyze how the social contract theory can be used to justify the ongoing negotiation between citizens and the government over the terms of the agreement.
  • Social contract theory suggests that the relationship between citizens and the government is an ongoing negotiation, where the terms of the agreement can be renegotiated or challenged over time. As societal needs and expectations change, citizens may demand that the government adapt its policies and actions to better reflect the current social contract. This can lead to political debates, reforms, and even revolutions, as citizens assert their rights and the government seeks to maintain its legitimacy and authority. The social contract theory provides a framework for understanding these dynamic interactions between the citizens and the state.

Related terms

Natural Rights: Fundamental rights that all individuals are entitled to, such as life, liberty, and property, which exist in the state of nature prior to the establishment of government.

State of Nature: The hypothetical condition of human beings before the establishment of organized society and government, characterized by a lack of political authority and the potential for conflict.

Social Contract: The implicit agreement between the citizens and the government, where citizens agree to follow the rules and laws set by the state in exchange for protection of their rights and the maintenance of social order.