The concept of a social contract is a fundamental cornerstone of modern politics and governance, but where did the term itself come from? The origins of the social contract can be traced back to the 17th century, and the writings of two influential philosophers: Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.
Thomas Hobbes, in his work Leviathan, argues that the natural state of humanity is one of “war of all against all” – a state of constant conflict and competition. In order to escape this state, individuals must enter into a social contract with one another, agreeing to abide by certain rules and laws in order to maintain peace and stability. This social contract creates a powerful government that is endowed with the authority to enforce the rules and maintain order.
John Locke, on the other hand, believed that the social contract was based on the idea of natural rights – that all individuals are entitled to certain basic rights, such as life, liberty, and property. In his work Two Treatises of Government, Locke argues that individuals form a social contract in order to protect these rights, and that the government’s role is to safeguard them.
The term “social contract” itself was first used in the 1762 book The Social Contract by French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In this work, Rousseau argues that the social contract is based on the idea of the general will – that individuals come together to form a government that represents the collective will of the people.
The idea of a social contract has been influential in shaping modern political theory and practice, from the founding of modern democracies to the development of international human rights law. It continues to be a source of debate and discussion, with some scholars arguing that it is the key to understanding the relationship between individuals and the state, while others question its relevance in the modern world.
In conclusion, the term “social contract” has its roots in the writings of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke in the 17th century. Jean-Jacques Rousseau popularized the term in his 1762 book The Social Contract, which has since become a foundational text in modern political theory. The social contract has been a powerful and influential concept in shaping modern governance and society, and continues to be a subject of discussion and debate among scholars today.