What is the social contract?
People were born inherently free. However, in order to promote peace and security, people within a given area agreed to give up to the state as much power as was needed to promote the safety and well being of all.
Philosophers
Thomas Hobbes- Leviathan 1651
This philosopher thought that life in the state of nature is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" without government. He believed that everyone should give up their rights to the government because people were too selfish for their own good. The type of government Thomas Hobbes would choose is a dictatorship.
John Locke- Two Treaties of Government 1689
John Locke believed that when monarchies overstepped their bounds under the social contract they should be modified or even abolished. He believed in "life, liberty and property". Locke thought people were born good and should have the right of revolution against a government that has become oppressive. The type of government that Locke would choose is a limited
government.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau- The Social Contract 1762
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that the social contract permits individuals the power to control the functions of government. He wanted everyone to participate in the legislation. Rousseau thought that government should only have enough power for foreign affairs and to control citizens from not over ruling the rights of other people. The type of government that Rousseau would choose is a democracy.
This philosopher thought that life in the state of nature is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" without government. He believed that everyone should give up their rights to the government because people were too selfish for their own good. The type of government Thomas Hobbes would choose is a dictatorship.
John Locke- Two Treaties of Government 1689
John Locke believed that when monarchies overstepped their bounds under the social contract they should be modified or even abolished. He believed in "life, liberty and property". Locke thought people were born good and should have the right of revolution against a government that has become oppressive. The type of government that Locke would choose is a limited
government.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau- The Social Contract 1762
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that the social contract permits individuals the power to control the functions of government. He wanted everyone to participate in the legislation. Rousseau thought that government should only have enough power for foreign affairs and to control citizens from not over ruling the rights of other people. The type of government that Rousseau would choose is a democracy.