Social Contract Theory John Locke was a English

Social Contract Theory

John Locke was a English Political Philosopher. In 1688, During the time of Glorious revolution when there was a transformation of Monarchy into parliamentary democracy. He was regarded as a father of liberal political theory. He belonged to the period when there was no establishment of a political society State of Nature: 1690 in his book Two Treaties of Government. explained that the state of nature was not a state of war, but a state of peace, natural rights, preservation, goodwill and mutual assistance.

Socia l Two Contracts: Govern mental According to Locke people had the right to life, liberty and property However each individual had to interpret the law of nature for himself and had also to enforce it without the help of any other authority. The State of Nature did not have the machinery to enforce the natural rights of individuals To preserve such state of affairs two contracts were made: social and governmental. Social contract led to the formation of civil society and governmental contract to the establishment of government.

Natural Rights Social Contract: Civil Rights Social contract was among the individuals - to surrender their natural rights in exchange of civil rights. Governmental contract was between the individuals and the ruler, to establish a system of law and justice in the form of a State. The ruler was the party to the contract and was bound by its terms. He believed in limited monarchy. The King was the trustee of the people. If the ruler abused his powers and breached the popular trust, he may be changed by revolt by the people.

Hobbes Social Contract was based on giving power to Sovereign Authority which cannot be questioned. Earlier it was a only a social community. Now a political community was formed, and decision was to be taken based on majority rule and a Government was to be appointed which would protect the life and liberty of the people. To make life convenient people consented and made a social contract so that a political community would be formed. Social contract changed the Social Community to political community. It was based on consent of the people. People would elect a Government. Locke introduced the concept of limited government, in terms of the rulers, their powers, functions and tenure. He believed in limited monarchy. The King was the trustee of the people. If the ruler abused his powers and breached the popular trust, he may be changed by revolt by the people.

Social Contract Peopl e Natural Civil Rights Ruler with limited Monarchy