What does the Social Contract Theory propose?

Social Contract Theory proposes that individuals are inherently free and equal by natural right. This philosophical concept, which can be traced back to thinkers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Thomas Hobbes, emphasizes that individuals enter into a social contract to form a government to protect their rights and ensure collective security.

According to this theory, the legitimacy of governmental authority stems from the consent of the governed, meaning that individuals agree to adhere to certain rules and regulations in exchange for the protection of their rights and the maintenance of order. This foundation asserts that all people, regardless of social status or wealth, possess intrinsic rights that cannot be unfairly taken away. Thus, the assertion that people are free and equal aligns closely with the core tenets of Social Contract Theory, highlighting a fundamental belief in the inherent dignity and rights of every individual within a society.