I Need Help With This Assignment Please Plagiarism Free

I Need Some Help With This Assignment Please Plagiarism Free The Sch

The purpose of this assignment is to reflect upon the role of the state. In a 2–3-page paper, address the following: Explain the various versions of social contract theory with supporting citations to the textbook and online lectures in correct APA format. Use this APA Citation Helper as a convenient reference for properly citing resources.

Explain some human rights that you think should be protected by the government. Discuss whether the particular rights you discuss are better understood as “positive” or “negative” rights and whether the rights discussed might be contemplated within social contract theory.

Discussions of political beliefs can often generate a great deal of emotion. Your participation grade for all discussion assignments is based in part on your ability to respond to your peers in a respectful and mature fashion, and this assignment is no exception. You are encouraged to present the arguments in favor of your own views and to challenge the arguments made by your peers (in fact, the critical thinking method we discussed last week is an excellent guide for how to present an argument about the role of the government), but please do not engage in personal attacks or other inappropriate communication.

Paper For Above instruction

The role of the state has been a central topic in political philosophy, with social contract theory serving as a foundational framework for understanding the legitimacy and purpose of government authority. Various versions of social contract theory have evolved over time, each offering a nuanced perspective on the relationship between individuals and the state. This paper explores these different perspectives, examines human rights worthy of government protection, and assesses their alignment with social contract ideas.

Different Versions of Social Contract Theory

Social contract theory posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some freedoms in exchange for security and order provided by the state. Among the earliest formulations was Thomas Hobbes’ version, as presented in his work "Leviathan" (Hobbes, 1651). Hobbes believed that in a state of nature, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," motivating individuals to establish a sovereign authority to ensure safety. His view emphasized a strong, centralized power to prevent chaos and violence.

Contrasting Hobbes, John Locke offered a more optimistic perspective, emphasizing natural rights such as life, liberty, and property (Locke, 1689). Locke argued that in the social contract, individuals consent to government primarily to protect these rights, and if the government fails to do so, citizens retain the right to overthrow it. His theory underscores limited government and the importance of individual consent.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau introduced a further variation, concentrating on the collective will or "general will" as central in social contract theory (Rousseau, 1762). Rousseau believed that humans are born free but are often corrupted by society. His model advocates for participatory democracy where citizens directly influence laws, aligning with the idea of individuals subordinating personal interests for the common good.

Modern social contract theories, such as those proposed by John Rawls, focus on justice as fairness and the idea of original positions and veil of ignorance to determine just principles for society (Rawls, 1971). Rawls emphasizes the importance of fairness and equality, advocating for principles that protect the most vulnerable.

Human Rights and Government Protection

Among the fundamental rights that should be protected by government are freedom of speech, the right to education, and healthcare access. Freedom of speech is essential for individual expression and the functioning of a democratic society. It aligns with negative rights, which prohibit government interference. Conversely, the right to access education and healthcare are positive rights, requiring proactive government action to provide these services. These rights are integral to fostering equality and social justice, which many political philosophers argue are within the scope of social contract commitments.

Positive rights, such as access to education and health services, often entail duties on the part of the government to actively ensure these needs are met. Negative rights, like freedom of speech and religion, primarily restrict government actions that limit individual freedom. The debate centers around whether rights should be primarily negative or positive, with many emphasizing that a balanced approach is necessary to uphold both individual liberty and social welfare. The social contract theory can accommodate both types of rights, emphasizing mutual obligations between citizens and the state.

Conclusion

In conclusion, social contract theory offers several paradigms for understanding the role of government and its obligations toward citizens. From Hobbes’ emphasis on order, Locke’s focus on natural rights and limited government, Rousseau’s collective will, to Rawls’ principles of justice, each perspective underscores different priorities but converges on the idea that legitimate government derives its authority from the voluntary agreement of individuals. Protecting fundamental human rights requires a nuanced approach that recognizes both negative and positive rights, aligning with the core concepts of social contract theory. Ultimately, effective governance balances individual freedoms with societal needs, fostering a just and equitable social order.

References

• Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan. Harvard University Press.
• Locke, J. (1689). Two Treatises of Government. Awnsham Churchill.
• Rousseau, J.-J. (1762). The Social Contract. (G. D. H. Cole, Trans.). The University of Chicago Press.
• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Carole Pateman. (1988). The Sexual Contract. Stanford University Press.
• Bertram, M. (2005). Social Contract Theory. Cambridge University Press.
• Sabl, A. (2005). The Social Contract from Hobbes to Rawls. Routledge.
• Cranston, M. (1993). The Moral Philosophy of Social Contract. Methuen.
• Foster, C. (2012). Human Rights and Social Justice. Routledge.
• Wenar, L. (2016). The Nature of Rights. Oxford University Press.