Social Contract Theory

Overview

• Social contract theory posits that communities are based on agreements among individuals.
• In essence, it suggests a binding agreement that governs social life.
• This contract is often viewed as imaginary; there is no historical documentation of its signing.

Key Points

• Imaginary Nature of the Contract

  • The social contract serves as a metaphor for political life, despite never being formally signed.
  • Raises questions about the legitimacy of laws and governance if no actual agreement exists.

• Problems with the Social Contract

  1. Legitimacy of Authority
     • The social contract is supposed to provide legitimacy to laws and governments based on agreed authority.
     • Lack of actual consent can undermine this legitimacy.
  2. Material Self-Interest
     • The contract framework suggests individuals are primarily self-interested, which may lead to a narrow perspective on community and responsibility.

Historical Context

• Influential theorists:
  • Thomas Hobbes
  • John Locke
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Thomas Hobbes

• Empiricism and Human Nature
  • Used empirical philosophy to understand why humans organize into political communities.
  • Introduced the concept of the 'state of nature' where life is chaotic without societal structure.
• The Leviathan (1651)
  • Suggested that humans are violent and self-centered in the state of nature.
  • Proposed the need for a strong sovereign to enforce the social contract and maintain order.
  • Advocated for absolute monarchy as the best form of governance.

John Locke

• Critique of Absolute Monarchy
  • Argued that absolute monarchy is as chaotic as the state of nature.
  • Suggested the need for limited government (e.g., republics, constitutional monarchies).
• Influence on Modern Democracy
  • His ideas informed foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Human Freedom
  • Proposed that a people exist before giving themselves to a ruler.
  • Emphasized public deliberation as crucial to forming a social contract.
• Critique of the Contract's Origin
  • Questioned how the initial agreement to form a community is established.
  • Suggested that deliberation itself signifies the existence of a social contract.

Critiques of Social Contract Theory

• Virginia Held's Perspective
  • Criticized the traditional social contract framework as historically inaccurate and misleading.
  • Argued that actual societies often emerge from conflict rather than agreement.
• Gender Perspective
  • Highlighted that social contract theorists often focus on male perspectives, neglecting the experiences of women and families.
  • Proposed that mother-child relationships might be a more fundamental basis for understanding human community.

Implications of a New Framework

• Shifting the Paradigm
  • If relationships are based on care (like between parent and child), it fosters a community-oriented mindset.
  • Encourages thinking about societal contributions as investments in a better future rather than transactional relationships.

Conclusion

• Utility of the Social Contract as a Metaphor
  • While it has limitations, it remains a powerful framework for discussing collective political relationships.
  • It emphasizes the necessity of consent and agreement in establishing legitimate governance.