From this shared premise, social contract theorists aim to demonstrate why rational individuals would voluntarily relinquish their natural freedom in exchange for the benefits of political order.

Dec 29, 2025 · Social contract, in political philosophy, an actual or hypothetical compact, or agreement, between the ruled and their rulers, defining the rights and duties of each.

Social contract theory, nearly as old as philosophy itself, is the view that persons’ moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which …

Jul 25, 2025 · This chaotic scenario forms the foundation of one of political science’s most influential ideas: the Social Contract Theory. This theory suggests that governments exist because people …

Mar 3, 1996 · The aim of a social contract theory is to show that members of some society have reason to endorse and comply with the fundamental social rules, laws, institutions, and/or principles of that …

The social contract in political philosophy refers to an implicit agreement between individuals and the state, where citizens consent to surrender certain rights in exchange for protection and the …

3 days ago · Social contract theory is now a foundational pillar of modern political theory. Any student of politics, political philosophy, and political theory will know the origins of modern social contract theory …

In general, social contract theory holds that society forms as a result of a contract between individuals for their mutual benefit. Although many different political theories fall under this general umbrella …

Under a theory first articulated by Plato in his Socratic dialog Crito, members within a society implicitly agree to the terms of the social contract by their choice to stay within the society.

The social contract is a philosophical concept that posits an implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules in exchange for protection and the benefits of communal living.