Social contract theories use the state of nature, a hypothetical condition without political authority, to explain why people establish a state and when its power is legitimate. Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau begin from different accounts of natural human life, producing different governments.
The Reasoning and Mechanism
The state of nature is primarily a thought experiment, not necessarily a historical period. Each philosopher identifies problems that arise without government, then explains the social contract by which individuals authorize political institutions.
| Philosopher | Natural condition | Contract and legitimacy |
|---|---|---|
| Hobbes | People are vulnerable equals seeking self-preservation. Competition, distrust, and glory produce insecurity and conflict. | Individuals authorize a powerful sovereign to enforce peace; security justifies extensive authority, although a person may resist a direct threat to life. |
| Locke | People are free and equal under natural law, with rights to life, liberty, and property; conflict persists because judgment and enforcement are partial. | People consent to limited government as a trust. If it violates rights, they retain a right of revolution. |
| Rousseau | Natural humans are independent, compassionate, and relatively peaceful; dependence, private property, and inequality create domination. | Legitimate collective self-rule expresses the general will. Citizens obey laws they prescribe to themselves as members of the community. |
A common misconception is that every social contract theorist portrays humans as naturally selfish and violent. This fits Hobbes most closely. Locke emphasizes moral duties under natural law, whereas Rousseau argues that corrupt social relations generate many vices.
Exam Technique
In an IB Philosophy response, compare the philosophers through a clear chain: view of human nature problem in the state of nature purpose of government legitimacy. Then evaluate whether consent is genuine, property is a natural right, or security justifies extensive sovereign power. Avoid merely listing views; examiners reward accurate comparison and reasoned evaluation.
