Essay about Social Contract Theory - 1429 Words

The political world is one that impacts nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives. Whether it be through its enforcement of laws, protection of the public, or use of taxpayer-raised monies to carry out its myriad tasks, the government makes a mark on its people. The actions of the government, while frequently ridiculed or vilified, are the result of the people themselves, operating within our system of government. So while many people may disapprove of the job Congress is doing or the direction the president is leading us in, the status quo remains the same. This is because our current state of affairs, however twisted and convoluted it may be, has been determined as a norm, and agreed to by a majority. In the following†¦show more content†¦Even though to Hobbes a government brings peace and lifts people out of a state of war, it requires citizens to hand over certain rights in pursuit of this peace. Once an authority figure has taken the role of ruler, through social cont ract, it becomes the norm. Hobbes’ theory does not allow and makes no exceptions for questioning or rebelling against the government. To simplify it, Hobbesian social contract theory places an emphasis on the importance of a government that takes rights from the people to provide services and run the government. It favors a large government, and does not place any real importance on the rights of those entering into the social contract with those in power. Instead, the power once given to the authority is irrevocable, leaving a dangerous opportunity for tyranny to develop. Lockes is a nice contrast to Hobbes’ political philosophy. It offers a response to the absolute power given to rulers in Hobbesian theory. This classical liberalism, meaning that it seeks to curb power, rejects the idea of an absolute ruler, and places high importance on personal rights and freedoms. While Locke and Hobbes are similar in that they acknowledge a chaotic state of nature, the way in whi ch each deals with that state of nature are vastly different. Locke recognizes that there will always be some people in a state of war, and that man alone cannot eradicate war from the earth. His theory obtains authority not from a single figure who wields absoluteShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Social Contract1709 Words   |  7 Pagesterms of contracts, and is furthered with the theory of social contract. Additionally, contractualism can be distinguished from Hobbesian contractualism (also known as contractarianism) and Kantian contractualism, whereby the former looks to contracts made by individuals of a society for the sake of personal gain and benefit, while the latter sees to contracts made by individuals of any given society that consider each other and themselves to be free and equal members of State. The theory of theRead MoreThe Social Contract Theory1357 Words   |  5 PagesThe social contract theory is the belief that people live in a society with an unwritten and soc ially accepted contract for a relationship between the people and their government. The people follow certain rules to protect themselves from violence and the like. The government in turn enforces those rules. In the absence of a social contract, the state of nature exists which citizens actions are governed by personal morals and beliefs. In any social contract people vest their rights to the authorityRead MoreThe Theories Of The Social Contract Theory1008 Words   |  5 Pagesapposite at this juncture to define what social contract connotes. Social contract is the voluntary agreement among individuals by which, according to any of various theories, as of Hobbes, Locke, or Rousseau, organized society is brought into being and invested with the right to secure mutual protection and welfare or to regulate the relations among its members. The social contract theory or model was originated during the age of enlightment. Social contract arguments typically posit that individualsRead MoreThe Theory Of Social Contract Theory2326 Words   |  10 Pages Social Contract Brian Horvath Cleveland State University Business Society Government The concept of social contract theory is that in the beginning man lived in the state of nature. They had no government and there was now law to regulate them. There are three main philosophers Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau that are best known for the social contract theory. In the twentieth century moral and political theory with John Rawls’ Kantian version of social contractRead MoreThe Theory Of The Social Contract Theory Essay2038 Words   |  9 PagesOn the formation of the Social Contract Theory has a long history, many people have formed Social Contract Theory has made a great contribution. Thomas Hobbes as one of the representatives of Modern Social Contract Theory, his departure from the theory of human nature, to a fictional state of nature as a starting point, put forward the basic principles of natural law, natural rights, and then through the Social Contract Theory, the establishment of his country theory. Thomas Hobbes certain extentRead MoreUtilitarianism And Social Contract Theory1476 Words   |  6 PagesMichelle VanDeren Moral and Political Philosophy June 11, 2016 Reflection Paper Utilitarianism and Social Contract Theory Part I: Utilitarianism in the Work Place While managing a law firm over the past 13 years one of the most consistent issues to deal with is office attire. We have hired numerous employees ranging from 20-30 years of age whose attire did not project a professional appearance. Some of the employees often wore jeans or shirts that clearly showed their tattoos or were too revealingRead MoreConceptions of the Social Contract Theory924 Words   |  4 Pagesown version of the social contract theory. The social contract theory is a treaty or an agreement that developed a set of laws, organized a functional society, and created the need to be governed. It was put into place when man realized that there was no law. Mankind eventually sought the desire for security and order. To receive security and order people shall voluntarily give up all their rights and freedoms and be obedient to some sort of authority. The social contract theory is made up of twoRead MoreThe Social Contract Theory Essay1249 Words   |  5 Pages1a. The Socia l Contract Theory According to the Social Contract Theory, it suggests that all individuals must depend on an agreement/ or contract among each person to form a society, in which they live in. The concept emphasizes authority over individuals, in other words, the social contract favors authority (e.g. the Sovereign) over the individuals, because men have to forfeit their personal right and freedom to the government, in exchange for protection and security, which I will further elaborateRead MoreWeaknesses Of Social Contract Theory928 Words   |  4 PagesSocial Contract theory is the idea that in the beginning people lived in the state of nature with no government and laws to regulate them. In order to overcome the issues involved in the state of nature, people entered into agreements to protect themselves and their properties. They did this by uniting, rescinding certain rights under the state of nature, and pledging themselves to an authority that will guarantee certain protections. They all agr ee to live together under those laws and create aRead MoreEssay On Social Contract Theory1950 Words   |  8 PagesIn this paper, I will prove that Social Contract Theory is a good philosophy to follow. Social Contract Theory allows society as a whole to function the best, has he most fairness for all people in a society and generates the greatest amount of happiness in society. Social Contract Theory was founded by Thomas Hobbs and was presented in his book the Leviathan in 1651. The theory is the idea that the people within a society all agree to act in a moral way to avoid the State of Nature, this way of