ASSIGNMENT DRAFT

SUBJECT: POLITICAL SCIENCE

TOPIC: “SOCIAL CONTRACT OF JOHN LOCKE AND

ROUSSEAU”

Submitted By:
Annapurna S
1st Semester, B.A. LL.B ‘B’

Submitted To:
Dr Srinivas G
Associate Professor, PRO
INTRODUCTION

A fundamental tenet of political philosophy has been the social contract hypothesis, which was put out
by thinkers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. These scholars aimed to elucidate the
sources of political power, the characteristics of governance, and the responsibilities and entitlements of
members of a community. The purpose of this research is to examine the theories and implications of
Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke as they relate to the social contract.

Brief overview

The study delves into the relevance of Rousseau and Locke’s social contract theories, pivotal in shaping
modern political theory, influencing global constitutional principles, and individual rights. It addresses
the challenge of reconciling their divergent views in contemporary political administration. Objectives
include analyzing their theories, identifying commonalities, and exploring their impact on political
institutions. The hypothesis suggests insights from both philosophers contribute to more equitable
political systems. Research questions probe fundamental principles, differences, and alignment with
current perspectives on individual rights and government authority. Methodology involves doctrinal
research based on secondary sources. The analysis highlights distinctions in their views on human
nature, the state of nature, government, and education. Locke’s influence aligns with modern
democratic ideals, while Rousseau introduces a communal aspect, shaping discussions on balancing
individual freedoms and social welfare in governance.

Relevance of the Study:

An understanding of the social contract theories of Rousseau and Locke is essential to

understanding the principles of modern political theory. Their theories had a major
impact on the development of the idea of individual rights, democratic government and
citizenship.

Moreover, these ideas played an important role in the formation of constitutional

principles and laws in many different countries. A close study of these foundational texts
can provide insight into the changing dynamics of social contracts as we discuss
contemporary political issues..

Problem Statement:
It considers how both Locke and Rousseau contributed to the concept of the social
contract, but their contrasting views of individual rights and the collective create
uncertainty about the most appropriate model of modern administration.

The study explores the complexity of these beliefs and the challenges and
opportunities they bring to contemporary political systems. Locke emphasized individual
rights and limited government, while Rousseau focused on the collective will and the
need for a more equal society. The chapter emphasizes the importance of
understanding these nuances in order to navigate the complexities of implementing a
social contract in today's varied and dynamic political environment..

Objectives of the Study:

 To analyze John Locke’s and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s social contract theory

 To identify commonalities and divergences between the two theories and their
implications for governance.
 To explore the influence of these theories on the development of political
institutions and individual rights.

Hypothesis:

It is proposed that both Locke's and Rousseau's conceptions of the social compact, in
spite of their disagreements, provide important insights into the basis of individual rights
and political power. Their impact may differ, but developing a more sophisticated grasp
of their concepts might help construct more equitable and successful political systems.

Research Questions:

i. What are the fundamental principles of John Locke’s and Jean-

Jacques Rousseau’s Social Contract theory?
ii. What are the similarities and differences between John Locke’s and
Rousseau’s Social Contract theory?
iii. To what extent do Locke's and Rousseau's theories align with or
diverge from current understandings of individual rights and
government authority?
Research methodologyd

I had done this assignment on the topic on social contract of John lock and Jean-
Jacques Rousseau I have adopted doctrine research based on secondary hand sources
and articles for the purpose of this study

LITERATURE REVIEW

John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were influential Enlightenment thinkers who
had different views of government and human nature. Locke andquot;Two Treatises of
Government; advocated natural rights and the social contract and argued that
government limited individual freedoms. On the other hand, "The Social Contract" of
Rousseau proposed a more collective approach that emphasized the general will and a
more direct form of democracy. While Locke and’s ideas laid the foundation for liberal
democracy, Rousseau's concepts influenced later revolutions and communal
philosophies. Their work continues to shape political and philosophical debates..

ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the fundamental principles of John Locke’s and Jean-Jacques

Rousseau’s Social Contract theory?

The fundamental principles of John lock’s social contract theory

The social contract theory was published by John Locke. He argued that man existed in
a state of nature, but his definition of that state differed from the one offered by the
philosophy of Hobbes. Locke and’s view of the state of nature is not as depressing as
Hobbes's. Despite being quite fun and a good asset, security was lacking. In his
opinion, the state of nature was a golden age. It was a time of harmony, goodwill,
cooperation and survival. Men had all the rights that nature could give them in this
natural state. Locke argues that in the state of nature, man's natural state was absolute
and unfettered freedom to live his life as he saw fit. No one else bothered. All were
equal and independent in this state of nature. However, this does not mean that it was a
license country. One could not do anything they wanted, or even what they believed
was in their best interest. The state of nature was not immoral, although there was no
government or civil authority to hold people accountable for breaking the law. The state
of nature used to be morality, but not politics. In such a situation, all people are
considered equal to each other and therefore equally capable of discovering and
obeying the laws of nature. Therefore, the state of nature was a state of freedom where
people were free to follow their own goals and plans without interference. It was also a
reasonable peaceful state due to the law of nature and the constraints it places on
people The social contract theory was published by John Locke. He argued that man
existed in a state of nature, but his definition of that state differed from the one offered
by the philosophy of Hobbes. Locke and’s view of the state of nature is not as
depressing as Hobbes's. Despite being quite fun and a good asset, security was
lacking. In his opinion, the state of nature was a golden age. It was a time of harmony,
goodwill, cooperation and survival. Men had all the rights that nature could give them in
this natural state. Locke argues that in the state of nature, man's natural state was
absolute and unfettered freedom to live his life as he saw fit. No one else bothered. All
were equal and independent in this state of nature. However, this does not mean that it
was a license country. One could not do anything they wanted, or even what they
believed was in their best interest. The state of nature was not immoral, although there
was no government or civil authority to hold people accountable for breaking the law.
The state of nature used to be morality, but not politics. In such a situation, all people
are considered equal to each other and therefore equally capable of discovering and
obeying the laws of nature. Therefore, the state of nature was a state of freedom where

The fundamental principles of Jean-Jacques Rousseau social contract theory

In his books andquot;The Social Contractandquot; and andquot;Emile,andquot; French

philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau proposed a new interpretation of the social contract theory.
He argues that the social contract is a speculative creation of the mind rather than a historical
reality. Life in nature was fulfilling and men were treated equally before the social contract. But
over time, humanity has undergone some changes. As the population grew, people had to meet
their own needs. Small families and then small human communities began to form in the
population. Work was divided both within the family and between families, and life became
easier with discoveries and inventions, free time developed. With so much free time, people
were forced to compare themselves to others, which created social norms and increased pride,
envy and contempt. Rousseau believed that the creation of private property was the most
important development in the evolution of humanity from a simple state of purity to greed,
competitiveness, vanity, injustice and vice. According to Rousseau, the development of property
means humanity and its displacement from the natural order. That is why they renounced their
rights to the whole community - what Rousseau called the andquot;universal will andquot;The;
– and not to any person. According to Rousseau, modern civilization has lost the original
freedom, happiness, equality and freedom that existed in prehistoric communities before the
social contract. The Social Contract created a new type of social organization known as the
state to guarantee and protect rights, freedoms, liberty and equality. The main idea of
Rousseau's general will theory is that the creation of the state and law was the result of the
general will of the people. He is responsible for creating the country and its laws, and if no one
reflects the common will, they are declared invalid. Man gives up some of his natural rights in
exchange for civil liberties such as freedom of speech, equality, and association. The general will
was the will of the majority of citizens to whom total commitment was required. Since the
majority position is more accurate than the minority position, the majority was adopted.
Everyone is responsible only to the collective will, and submission to it is submission to oneself.
His sovereignty is unlimited, inalienable, indivisible and infallible. As a result, Rousseau
advocated popular sovereignty. His philosophy of natural law is limited to individual and #039;
freedom and liberty. He equated
the ,andquot;andquot;law,andquot;andquot;sovereignty,andquot; andquot;general
will,andquot; etc. Rousseau's theory created nationalism and inspired the French.

2.What are the similarities and differences between John Locke’s and Rousseau’s Social Contract
theory?

Locke and Rousseau both made important contributions to social contract theory and share
some similarities in their ideas. Both philosophers believed that the state of nature was a
 state of equality and freedom, and that individuals entered into a social contract to form a
legitimate government. Rousseau's articulation of political legitimacy bears some
resemblance to the view proposed by Locke, but there are marked differences as well. Unlike
Locke, he does not begin with natural rights. The end of government is not to protect
natural rights that exist in the state of nature.It seems there might be a small typo in your
question ("resources" instead of "Rousseau"). Assuming you're asking for the differences
between John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau:

Human Nature:

Locke: Believed in the idea of a "blank slate" (tabula rasa), suggesting that individuals are
born without innate ideas and acquire knowledge through experience.

-Rousseau: Contended that humans were inherently good in their natural state, but
societal influences corrupted them.

State of Nature:

Locke: Envisioned a state of nature where individuals had natural rights (life, liberty, and
property) and established government through a social contract to protect these rights.

Rousseau: Described the state of nature as peaceful and egalitarian, but argued that the
development of private property and social inequality led to the need for a social contract.

Government:

Locke: Advocated for a limited government with power derived from the consent of the
governed, and the right of rebellion if the government failed to protect natural rights.

- Rousseau: Proposed a more direct form of democracy, emphasizing the "general will" of
the people as the foundation for a just government.

Education:

Locke: Emphasized the importance of education in shaping individuals and believed in

practical, experiential learning.
 Rousseau: Emphasized the importance of natural education and development, suggesting
that children should learn through self-discovery in a supportive environment.

Influence on Political Philosophy:

Locke: Major influence on classical liberalism and the founding fathers of the United
States. His ideas underpin the concept of individual rights and limited government.

Rousseau: Influential in the development of democratic and socialist thought. His ideas
contributed to the French Revolution and later social and political movements

. While both philosophers shared Enlightenment ideals, their views on human nature, the
social contract, and the role of government diverged, contributing to a rich tapestry of
political philosophy.

3.To what extent do Locke's and Rousseau's theories align with or diverge from current
understandings of individual rights and government authority?

Locke and Rousseau created the foundation of modern political thought emphasizing the
rights of the individual and the legitimacy of government. Lockeand's understanding of
natural rights and limited government influenced democratic ideals and is consistent
with modern views. Rousseau's social contract theory emphasizing the collective will
differs because it emphasizes a more communal approach that differs from the current
and individualistic focus on rights. Current understandings often combine elements of
both and seek a balance between individual freedoms and social welfare within the
framework of responsible governance.

Conclusion

the social contract theory has generally been important in explaining the fundamentals of
government andtheorising democratic values in contemporary state systems, it has drawn
some criticism. Social contract theory’s an ancient concept which has undergone numerous
interpretations. Although the term was first coined by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, the
concepts of social contract theory were first explored in detail by the French philosopher, Jean-
Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau's work, The Social Contract, was published in 1762 and is
considered to be one of the most influential works of political philosophy. In the years since
Rousseau's workwise published, the concept of social contract theory has been further
explored and developed by several other philosophers, including John Locke, Thomas Hobbes,
and John Rawls. The basic idea of social contract theoryis that individuals freely agree to form a
government to better protect their rights and interests. This agreements. based on the belief
that individuals are rational and self-interested, and that they will act in their own bestinterests
when allowed to do so. The government, in turn, agrees to protect the rights and interests of its
citizens.There are several different interpretations of social contract theory, and
there is no single "correct “interpretation. Philosophers have disagreed about several
important issues, including the nature of the contract, the extent to which the government
should protect the rights of its citizens, and the role of the individual society. Nevertheless,
social contract theory remains an important part of political philosophy, and it continues to
influence the way we think about government and politics.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

 https://www.britannica.com/story/the-social-contract-and-philosophy
 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2410525
 The Social Contract Theorists: Critical Essays on Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
261181816_Summary_of_Social_Contract_Theory_by_Hobbe s_Locke_and_Rousseau
 http://www.plato.standford.edu/archives/spr2012/entries/kant-social-political10
Needleman, Jason. “The Social Contract Theory in a Global Context.” E-International
Relations, 9 Oct. 2012,
 www.e-ir.info/2012/10/09/the-social-contract-theory-in-a-global-context.13