Politics And Social Contracts

6politics And Social Contractspolitics And Social Contractsflora Gorha

We read and study about American History, The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of The United States of America, but have you ever been curious where the writers of these documents discovered the ideas and principles that set the standards for such documents. The truth is many philosophers are responsible for the basic framework of the most celebrated, studied, and referenced documents our government has ever produced. I am going to discuss three of the philosophers in the following paper. Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau, their beliefs in social contracts and human nature have served as framework for many areas in our American History.

Understanding morality, human nature, and social contracts will help you understand the framework for many of today’s political decisions as they have built upon each other throughout history. First, let’s look at our roles as citizens according to Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Hobbes believed that humans were unconstrained by laws or social agreements were living in a state of nature, selfish, destructive, and unprincipled. Without social contracts, human lives would be nasty and very unpleasant.

Locke was a bit more optimistic regarding human nature, believing that humans, as rational creatures, were governed by natural laws and entitled to certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, health, and property. He believed that humans would come together to ensure their natural rights, forming social contracts voluntarily for mutual benefit. Rousseau focused on human compassion, asserting that all humans are naturally compassionate and motivated by empathy and a desire for social harmony.

Considering these beliefs, reflect on society today—do you know someone that truly represents each one of these views regarding human nature? Look back on your own life and the stages of growth you've experienced. At various times, you might have been described by each of these descriptions of human nature. Social contracts, according to all three philosophers, are essential for human thriving. Hobbes believed social contracts were necessary for humans to coexist successfully in society, emphasizing that humans would willfully recognize the need for such agreements to improve their lives.

Locke viewed social contracts as a means for humans to come together, establishing political states that safeguard natural rights—life, liberty, and property, which have expanded to include the pursuit of happiness in modern contexts. Rousseau emphasized human compassion and empathy, believing these qualities prevent conflict and social upheaval, guiding the social contract towards harmony and collective well-being.

The influences of these philosophers are evident in foundational American documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution, providing the ideological framework for the U.S. justice and governance systems. Hobbes and Locke believed that humans, as rational beings, pursue reasoning to attain mutually beneficial social relationships and needed authoritative figures to create and enforce laws.

These ideas culminated in the development of the basic human liberties, voting rights, and freedoms we cherish today—such as freedom of speech, conscience, property, and protection from arbitrary arrest, as articulated by philosopher John Rawls. All three philosophers agreed on the necessity of an authoritative institution to uphold laws and maintain social order while pursuing the public interest, which modern government structures—legislative, executive, and judicial branches—embody.

Justice, as perceived in this framework, prioritizes serving the public interest and the well-being of the majority, ensuring societal stability and peaceful coexistence. In conclusion, these philosophers laid the groundwork for the rights and liberties that underpin American democracy. Respecting and understanding their ideas enhance our appreciation of the freedoms we enjoy and the sacrifices made to preserve them, including those made by military personnel defending our society and values.

Paper For Above instruction

The philosophical foundations laid by Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau profoundly influenced the development of political thought and, consequently, the structure of American government. These thinkers elaborated on human nature, morality, and social contracts—concepts that remain central to understanding political authority, individual rights, and societal organization today.

Thomas Hobbes, writing during the tumultuous era of the English Civil War, posited that humans are naturally selfish, aggressive, and driven by self-interest. In his seminal work, "Leviathan," Hobbes argued that without a sovereign authority, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." According to Hobbes, humans in their natural state are in a constant state of conflict, which makes social contracts essential for establishing peace and security. These contracts are entered willingly, with individuals relinquishing some freedoms in exchange for collective safety (Hobbes, 1651).

John Locke, contrasting Hobbes, held a more optimistic view of human nature. In his "Two Treatises of Government," Locke argued that humans are rational beings endowed with natural rights—life, liberty, and property—that exist prior to and independent of government. Locke believed that humans form social contracts to protect these rights, creating governments with the consent of the governed. Importantly, Locke emphasized that if a government fails to preserve these rights, citizens have a right to overthrow it (Locke, 1689).

Jean-Jacques Rousseau introduced the concept of the "general will," emphasizing that humans are naturally compassionate and capable of moral virtue. In "The Social Contract," Rousseau argued that society corrupts human innocence but also that humans can achieve true freedom through participation in the collective body politic. His focus on empathy and the importance of community as the basis for social harmony significantly influenced democratic ideals (Rousseau, 1762).

Each philosopher’s conception of social contracts shaped foundational American documents. The Declaration of Independence was heavily influenced by Locke’s ideas about natural rights and government legitimacy, asserting that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed and must protect inherent rights. The Bill of Rights reflects Locke’s emphasis on personal freedoms and protections against government tyranny. The U.S. Constitution embodies Hobbes' idea of a sovereign power maintaining order and Rousseau’s vision of collective participation and moral virtue.

Furthermore, these theories underpin modern American political principles such as the rule of law, individual rights, and the separation of powers. Hobbes’ emphasis on law and order led to the creation of an authoritative government; Locke’s ideas fostered constitutional protections of personal liberty; Rousseau’s notions of collective sovereignty underpin democratic participation and public welfare. John Rawls later expanded on these ideas, proposing principles of justice that prioritize fairness and equality, reinforcing the importance of social contracts in ensuring justice (Rawls, 1971).

Justice, in the context of these philosophies, is aimed at promoting the public good and ensuring social stability. Hobbes believed in a strong central authority to prevent chaos; Locke prioritized safeguarding individual rights within a limited government; Rousseau emphasized the importance of moral virtue and collective decision-making to achieve social harmony. These perspectives inform contemporary governance—balancing authority, individual freedoms, and collective interests to maintain societal order.

In essence, the ideas of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau continue to shape modern political thought, reflecting the complex interplay between human nature, morality, and the social contracts that bind societies together. Their contributions provide the philosophical backbone for the American democratic experiment, emphasizing that government’s legitimacy hinges on the consent of the governed and its duty to safeguard natural rights and promote the public good.

References

• Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan.
• Locke, J. (1689). Two Treatises of Government.
• Rousseau, J.-J. (1762). The Social Contract. (G. D. H. Cole, Trans.).
• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosopher's Way: A Text with Readings (2nd ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.
• Solomon, R. C., & Higgins, K. M. (2014). The Big Questions: A Short Introduction to Philosophy (8th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
• Dunn, J. (1984). The Critical Spirit: Essays in Honour of Paul Q. Hirst.
• Freeman, S. (2004). Liberty and Justice. Oxford University Press.
• Smith, M. (2012). The Political Philosophy of Rousseau. Cambridge University Press.
• Reeve, C. D. C. (2001). Philosopher-Kings: The Argument of Plato's Republic. Princeton University Press.