SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY HOBBES, LOCKE & ROUSSEAU

LIFE WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY There are only two possibilities: LIFE WITHOUT GOVERNMENT LIFE WITH GOVERNMENT STATE OF NATURE CIVIL SOCIETY

LIFE IN A STATE OF NATURE When there is no civil society, humans live in a “state of nature.” There is no government, every person is on his own. In a “state of nature,” every person has complete freedom to do what he wants.

LIFE IN A STATE OF NATURE A “state of nature” is not lawless. There is a natural law. No man may infringe on the rights of others. What are the most fundamental rights of human beings?

LIFE IN A STATE OF NATURE What would be the advantages and disadvantages of life in a “state of nature?”

LIFE IN A STATE OF NATURE Advantages Complete freedom. Everyone is equal. Not subject to authority. Disadvantages No protection from aggression or force from others. You are only as safe as you could make yourself. The weak are preyed upon by the strong. What makes one person happy can be harmful to others. Conflict is the natural result. Life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” (Hobbes)

LIFE IN A STATE OF NATURE Biggest problem of living in the state of nature: there is no authority to enforce the law of nature. Because of this, people want to enter into civil society.

THOMAS HOBBES: LIFE IN A STATE OF NATURE Human life is the only thing with value. In a state of nature, human life is constantly in danger. The only way to ensure survival is government. The sole purpose of government is to protect people from the evils that exist in the state of nature. Thomas Hobbes (1611-1677)

THOMAS HOBBES: social contract When people agree to form a government to protect themselves, they give up ALL of their rights to the authority. Hobbes preferred monarchy as a form of government.

John Locke: the social contract Locke reasoned that humans are free to do whatever they want. People realize that they cannot live successfully in a state of nature. Cooperation among people is necessary to enjoy life. John Locke (1632-1704)

John Locke: the social contract People voluntarily give up some of their individual freedoms and enter into community with other people in order to live a good life.

John Locke: the social contract People create a social contract – an agreement to grant a limited amount of power to a government in exchange for some of their personal freedom so they can live together peacefully..

John Locke: INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS According to Locke, the sole responsibility of government is to protect people’s natural rights. Locke believed that the natural rights of humans are life, liberty and property.

Jean-jacques rousseau: social contract Rousseau’s beliefs are fundamentally the same as Locke’s. People are dissatisfied with life in a chaotic state of nature. People are willing to give up some personal freedom in exchange for social order. The government has authority because the people consent to give it power over their lives. Rousseau (1712-1778)

Rousseau goes farther.... Rousseau Locke Rights are life, liberty and property. The only purpose of government is to protect rights. Life, liberty and property are only some of the natural rights of humans. The purpose of government is to satisfy the “general will” of the people, which can be much more than just the protection of basic rights.

(= what the people want.) The “general will” (= what the people want.) The government’s duty is to carry out the “general will” of the people. The “general will” includes life, liberty and property and much more. In some circumstances the “general will” may require that basic rights be sacrificed.

The “general will” As important in America today as it was in France in the 1700s.

The “general will” As important in America today as it was in France in the 1700s.

The “general will” As important in America today as it was in France in the 1700s.

The “general will” As important in America today as it was in France in the 1700s.

Rousseau goes farther.... Rousseau believed that man is naturally good and wants to help other members of society. He argued that when people help others in society, they actually help themselves as individuals. For example, a man may not want to pay taxes but realizes he is better off when he – like everybody else – pays them. Rousseau

Social contract: key concepts …all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed… John Locke -> Jefferson -> Declaration of Ind. Natural law/natural order Natural rights Consent of the governed

Social contract review What is a “social contract?” Describe life in a “state of nature.” Why are people willing to give up a certain amount of freedom and enter into a social contract? What are the basic rights of humans, according to Locke? What is the sole purpose of government, according to Locke? How does Rousseau take “social contract” theory farther than Locke? (two ways) Bonus: In what American document are Locke’s ideas clearly stated?