LESSON 7 THE SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY

During the enlightenment, social philosophers pondered the natural laws that govern
human societies and in their discussion, several philosophers put forth their theories
regarding the formation of societies.

Enlightenment philosophers, such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean

Jacques Rousseau were among the most prominent social theorist who tackled the
origins of human society. To fully understand the true character of society, they
imagined humans as living in a so-called “natural State”, removed from modernity and
civilization. Examining humans in their natural state allowed these philosophers to
discuss the origin of society and relate them to other concepts such as man’s intrinsic
nature and liberty. Various views emerged to explain the developments that brought
about the emergence of human society.

A. THOMAS HOBBES (1588-1679).

Believed society came into being as a means for the protection of men against the
consequences of their nature. Mas was in perpetual conflict with his neighbors on
account of his essentially selfish nature. The life of Man was solitary poor, nasty,
brutish, and short. Every man was an enemy to every other man.

Hobbes in his book Leviathan has made it clear that man finds nothing but grief in the
company of his fellows. Since the conditions in the state of nature are intolerable and
men long for peace, the people enter into a kind of social contract to ensure for
themselves security and certainty of life and property.

By mutual agreement, they decide to surrender their natural rights into the hands of a
few or one with authority to command. The agreement is of each with all and all with
each other. The contract becomes binding on the community as a perpetual social
bond. Thus, to protect himself against the evil consequences of his own nature man
organizes himself in society to live in peace with all.

In discussing his philosophy, Hobbes introduced the Leviathan. In this concept, he

proposed that human beings join together in the formation of a commonwealth. Thus,
the commonwealth as a whole embodies a network of associated contracts and
provides for the highest form of social organization. In his view, the formation of the
commonwealth creates a new, artificial person (the Leviathan) to whom all responsibility
for social order and public welfare is entrusted.
Of course, someone must make decisions on behalf of this new whole, and that person
will be the sovereign. The commonwealth-creating covenant is not in essence a
relationship between subjects and their sovereign at all. Rather, what counts is the
relationship among subjects, all of whom agree to divest themselves of their native
powers to secure the benefits of orderly government by obeying the dictates of the
sovereign authority. In Hobbes’ view even though they have no respect for this
particular sovereign, they are still bound by their contract with fellow subjects to be
governed by a single authority. The sovereign is nothing more than the institutional
embodiment of orderly government.

B. JOHN LOCKE.

He believed that man in the state of nature is enjoying ideal liberty free from all sorts of
rules and regulations. The state of nature is a state of peace, goodwill, mutual
assistance, and preservation. But there is no recognized system of law and justice.
Hence his peaceful life is often upset by the corruption and viciousness of degenerate
men. The men are forced to live full of fears and continual dangers.

To escape from this and to gain certainty and security men made a contact to enter into
civil society or the state. Locke called it a social contract. This contract puts an end to
the state of nature and is substituted by civil society. The social contract is no more than
a surrender of rights and powers so that man’s remaining rights would be protected and
preserved. The contract is for limited and specific purposes and is given up or
surrendered to the whole community and not to a man or an assembly of men.
According to Locke the social contract, later on, contribute to governmental control. The
governmental control is made by the society when it establishes a government and
selects a ruler to remove the inconveniences of ill-condition.

C. JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU.

The French writer of the 18th century in his famous book, The Social Contract wrote
that man in the state of nature is a noble who leads a life of primitive simplicity and
idyllic happiness. He is independent, contented, self-sufficient, healthy, fearless, and
good. It is only primitive instinct and sympathy which unite him with others. He knows
neither right nor wrong and is free from all notions of virtue and vice.

When equality and happiness of the early state are lost, war, murder, conflicts become
the order of the day. The escape from this is found in the formation of civil society.
Natural freedom gives place to civil freedom by a social contract. As a result of this
contract, a multitude of individuals becomes a collective unity-a civil society. Rousseau
said that by this contact everyone while uniting himself to all remains as free as before.

There is only one contract which is social as well as political. The individual surrenders
himself completely and unconditionally to the will of the body of which he becomes a
member. The body created is moral and collective and Rousseau called it the general
will. The unique feature of the general will is that it represents collective good as
distinguished from the private interests of its members.

REASONS TO ESTABLISH SOCIAL CONTRACT

1. Equality of Need. We all have certain basic needs in common such as food,
clothing, and shelter. This is the main reason why hoarding cannot be tolerated in a
civilized society.

2. Scarcity. Population grows rapidly yet the resources are limited. There is a limited
supply of food, clothing, and shelter just to name the essentials.

3. Equality of Human Power. When the first two factors are taken in conjunction
with power and legitimization, society can have a serious problem with them. The strong
subdue the weak. It is in this context where all of us will be in constant war with each
other.

4. Limited Altruism. One solution to the problem is to rely on the kindness of a good
Samaritan. But this will not work all the time for there are limits set to altruism. Through
experience, we know that we are not compassionate to our fellow human beings at all
times.