Social contract theory Flashcards
what is social contract theory?
A philosophical agreement for citizens to be ruled, by giving up some freedom voluntarily.
why is sct important?
Legitamises the authority of the state, so we obey the authority and we voluntarily agree to obey them.
how is SoN different to ScT
SoN- Complete freedom, you can decide everything no rules
ScT- Governance, everyone has to obey the rules to live within the society.
what does Hobbes say about ScT?
we should agree to ScT
why does Hobbes think we should agree to ScT?
He says we need laws and if we don’t have law life would be:
Solitary, poor, nasty brutish and short’
Every man is at war with every man’
‘in constant fear of violent death’
THEREFORE the aim of law is to create order and protect personal security.
what does Hobbes feel we have the right for?
self preservation
how does Hobbes feel we should create a ScT? to reach self preservation?
law 1: everyone has to strive to achieve peace
law 2: Everyone should have a mutual willingness to give up rights, as for peace.
EG. I won’t kill you if you don’t kill me
law 3: we need a common power to keep everyone in place as promises are not enough, we can’t trust that everyone will obey the rules.
what does Hobbes think we should give up to achieve all the rules to create sct?
‘We must lay down our right to all things’
Obedience is required under any condition, except for if the sovereign fails to protect us
why does Locke think we need to agree to ScT?
He felt the SoN was blissful other than the inadequate protection of property.
He agrees to secure access to the our natural rights – life, liberty and property.
which right does locke think we should give up?
Some freedom, but not all freedom as it is on condition of them protecting his natural rights.
NOT life, or property!
what does Rousseau think about Sc?
Contract is between the individual and the community, to be ruled in the interest of the community ( general will)
Eg.Ruler should rule in the favour of the publics interests
The government has unlimited power as long as they rule in favour of the general will.
what kind of system does Hobbes think is essential?
AUTHORITARIAN APPROACH
Absolute and unconditional obedience to the law, no rebellion.
He thinks that an authoritarian monarchy is the best
Only remove if they try to kill us.
what kind of system does Locke think is essential?
CONSTITTUTIONAL APPROACH
We need checks and balances in society in order that if the government are abusing their power we can remove them
what kind of system does Rousseau think is essential?
POPULAR GOVERNMENT
Rousseau thinks that the best form of government is participatory democracy Ideally people (community) should govern themselves but
overview of Hobbes?
State of nature is terrible!
We will all be fearful of death
Therefore we need to contract to one another not to kill each other ( and to protect other rights)
A strong sovereign must enforce this, otherwise we will still be fearful of a breach of this contract
We cannot overthrow this government, unless they try to kill us, to maintain order with these savage people we need to continue to be ruled at all times.
