Social Contract

Definition

The social contract is a political theory that posits an implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and establish a government, which in turn protects their rights and provides order in exchange for their consent to follow its laws. This concept emphasizes the belief that legitimacy of governmental authority comes from the consent of the governed, linking individual freedoms with collective responsibility.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The social contract theory was a key element in the Enlightenment thinking that influenced revolutionary ideas about governance and rights.
2. John Locke's version of the social contract emphasized that individuals have a right to revolt against a government that fails to protect their natural rights.
3. Paine's 'Common Sense' utilized social contract principles to argue for American independence, suggesting that Britain was violating the rights of the colonies.
4. The American Revolution can be seen as an application of social contract theory, where colonists believed they had a right to establish a government that better represented their interests.
5. The concept of social contract also influenced revolutionary movements beyond America, including the French Revolution, where citizens sought to redefine their relationship with authority.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of social contract influence the justification for American independence?
  • The concept of social contract played a pivotal role in justifying American independence by arguing that legitimate government must protect the natural rights of its citizens. When Britain imposed taxes and laws without consent, colonists believed their rights were being violated. This perspective resonated with Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, who argued that people have the right to overthrow a government that fails to fulfill its obligations, making independence not just justified but necessary.
• In what ways did Enlightenment thinkers contribute to the development of social contract theory and its application during the American Revolution?
  • Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau contributed significantly to social contract theory by emphasizing individual rights and the idea that governments exist by consent. Their writings encouraged colonists to question British authority and assert their own rights. During the American Revolution, these ideas were reflected in key documents like the Declaration of Independence, where the notion that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed was central to arguments for breaking away from British rule.
• Evaluate how the principles of social contract not only shaped the American Revolution but also influenced subsequent revolutionary movements such as the French Revolution.
  • The principles of social contract shaped both the American Revolution and later movements like the French Revolution by establishing a framework for challenging oppressive governance. In America, colonists utilized these principles to argue for their rights against British tyranny. This inspired similar sentiments in France, where revolutionaries sought to establish a government based on equality and citizen representation. The calls for liberty, equality, and fraternity during the French Revolution were deeply rooted in social contract theories, demonstrating their lasting impact on global political thought and revolutions.

Related terms

Natural Rights: Fundamental rights inherent to all humans, including life, liberty, and property, which governments are created to protect.

John Locke: An influential Enlightenment thinker whose ideas about the social contract and natural rights greatly impacted political philosophy and the development of democratic governments.

Consent of the Governed: A principle stating that a government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the people it governs, highlighting the importance of popular sovereignty.