Social contract

For political policies of the same name see Bob Rae's Social Contract (Ontario) and Harold Wilson's Social Contract (Britain)

Related Topics:
Social Contract (Ontario) - Harold Wilson - Social Contract (Britain)

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Social contract (or contractarianism) is a phrase used in philosophy, political science and sociology to denote a real or hypothetical agreement within a state regarding the rights and responsibilities of the state and its citizens, or more generally a similar concord between a group and its members, or between individuals. All members within a society are assumed to agree to the terms of the social contract by their choice to stay within the society or by not violating the contract.

Related Topics:
Philosophy - Political science - Sociology - State - Citizen

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The social contract, as a political theory, explains the origin and purpose of the state and of human rights. The essence of the theory (in its most common form, namely the one proposed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau) is as follows: In order to live in society, human beings agree to an implicit social contract, which gives them certain rights in return for giving up certain freedoms they would have in a state of nature. Thus, the rights (and responsibilities) of individuals are the terms of the social contract, and the state is the entity created for the purpose of enforcing that contract. Also, the people may change the terms of the contract if they so desire; rights and responsibilities are not fixed or "natural". However, more rights always entail more responsibilities, and fewer responsibilities always entail fewer rights.

Related Topics:
Right - Jean-Jacques Rousseau - State of nature

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