Social Contract Theory

Definition

Social contract theory is a philosophical concept that explores the implicit agreement between a government and its citizens, where individuals surrender certain rights and freedoms in exchange for the protection and benefits provided by a governing authority. This theory provides a framework for understanding the moral and political obligations between the state and its people.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Social contract theory provides a justification for the authority of the state and the obligations of citizens, based on the idea of a mutual agreement.
2. The theory suggests that individuals willingly surrender some of their natural rights in exchange for the protection and benefits provided by a governing authority.
3. Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were influential in the development of social contract theory.
4. The theory emphasizes the importance of the consent of the governed, which is the idea that a government's legitimacy is derived from the people's acceptance of its authority.
5. Social contract theory is often used to address questions of political obligation, the limits of state power, and the justification of civil disobedience.

Review Questions

• Explain how social contract theory relates to the concept of 'A Theory of Justice' by John Rawls.
  • John Rawls' 'A Theory of Justice' builds upon the foundations of social contract theory by proposing a hypothetical 'original position' where individuals, behind a 'veil of ignorance' about their place in society, would agree to principles of justice that ensure fair and equal treatment. This approach to the social contract emphasizes the importance of impartiality and the protection of individual rights, which are key tenets of Rawls' theory of justice.
• Describe how social contract theory can be used to 'weigh stakeholder claims' in the context of business ethics.
  • Social contract theory provides a framework for understanding the obligations and responsibilities of businesses towards their stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the broader community. By considering the implicit agreement between businesses and their stakeholders, the theory can be used to evaluate the legitimacy of stakeholder claims and the ethical considerations that should guide corporate decision-making. For example, a business may have a moral obligation to its employees to provide a safe and fair working environment, or to its customers to deliver quality products and services, as part of the social contract.
• Analyze how the concept of 'consent of the governed' in social contract theory relates to the justification of civil disobedience.
  • The idea of the 'consent of the governed' in social contract theory suggests that the government's authority is derived from the people's acceptance of its legitimacy. If the government violates the terms of the social contract by failing to uphold its obligations to protect the natural rights and liberties of its citizens, the theory can be used to justify civil disobedience as a means of withdrawing consent and challenging the government's authority. This perspective emphasizes the importance of the people's active role in shaping the social contract and holding the government accountable to its responsibilities.

Related terms

Natural Rights: Fundamental rights that all individuals are entitled to, such as life, liberty, and property, which exist independently of government or society.

Consent of the Governed: The idea that a government's legitimacy and right to exercise power is derived from the people's consent, rather than divine right or force.

Hypothetical Contract: The notion that the social contract is not an actual, written agreement, but rather a hypothetical construct used to explain the moral and political obligations between the state and its citizens.