Social Contract Theory

The social contract model is based on the underlying premise that society, in pursuit of the protection of people's lives and property, enters into a compact agreement with the government - where the latter guarantees the society protection, and the society in turn pledge to live in peace and harmony (Dooley & Paten, 2014). John Locke and Thomas Hobbes, the two main proponents of the social contract model, agree on this premise but differ significantly in regard to the principles under which the contract ought to operate (Dooley & Paten, 2014).

Hobbes' versus Locke's View

Through his political work Leviathan, Hobbes states that the government and the society both exist within the confines of the stipulated contractual agreement, but the former is the higher one of the two parties, and enjoys absolute sovereignty to use its power and political right to ensure that general order prevails in...
[ View Full Essay]