Social Contract Theory and John Locke

Man, in his earliest times, lived in a “state of nature” or unbridled freedom. The “law of the jungle” ruled mankind. Each man could do as he pleased and in any manner as he chose, as long as he could physically do it. That which he could take by force was his, and remained his for as long as he could hold it. All men were free in this way. Therefore, each man was only as safe as his own physical prowess and watchfulness could make him. His life in the state of nature was “nasty, brutish, and short.”

According to the social contract theory, men overcame their unpleasant condition by agreeing with one another to form a group and create a “community”. In other words, individual humans gave up some of their independence and freedom in order to enjoy the benefits of social life. Each person agreed to live within the rules of the social group or community. This was the birth of “civil society”. The way the civil society maintained order and made decisions is its government. The government and the state became the same thing. By contract, men within a given area joined together, each agreed to give up to the group (state) as much power as was needed to promote the safety and well-being of all. In the contract, the members of the group created a government to exercise the powers which they had voluntarily granted to the state.

The social contract theory argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free men. It holds that the state exists only to serve the will of the people, that they are the sole source of political power, and that they are free to give or withhold that power as they choose. The form of government did not matter. The concern was how well the government leaders served the people. For their part, individual citizens were expected to follow the rules and limitations established by the group and its government – value law, order, and social stability. They were to do their very best to prosper as individuals so that society as a whole could be improved. They assume their duties and obligations to their society when called upon to do so, such as being soldiers in times of defense and paying taxes to run the government. Under the social contract, people accepted the fact that the society, by way of the government, laws and social pressure, had the right to limit and interfere with individuals. However, the limitations and interference must be based on principles that were in the best interest of the people in general. In other words, the society or government could interfere if it did not violate the rights of all citizens in the society and would benefit the society as a whole. When individuals did not fulfill their duties or harmed or limited the society, these individuals could be punished. The people gave the government the power and authority to make and enforce laws and punish the disobedient. Under the social contract, the government and its leaders ruled with the approval of the people. Therefore, the people had the right to disband the government or replace its leaders. This would only happen when the majority of people decided that its leaders no longer served the people and promoted their interests. The people thought this ability to disband an abusive government was their way to monitor and limit the power and actions of their government. They also thought that this would force their leaders to be directly responsible to the people.

Most people in England and the American colonies believed that a social contract existed between the people and the king and Parliament. They believed it was an agreement people voluntarily accepted and that all members of the society, including the government, were obligated to fulfill their part of the agreement.

The Enlightenment began in Europe, as scientists discovered natural laws governing the universe. For example, Isaac Newtown explained the law of gravity. Other Enlightenment thinkers applied the idea of natural law to human societies. The English philosopher John Locke argued that people have “natural rights”. These natural rights are guarantees all people have because they are humans. These are rights to life, liberty, and property. Locke, as part of the social contract, stated that people create governments to protect their natural rights. If a government fails in this duty, people have the right to change it. Locke also challenged the belief that kings had a God-given right to rule.