Philosophy
Social Contract Theory: Hobbes and Locke
Quick fact
Hobbes described the state of nature as a 'war of all against all' where life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,' while Locke believed it was generally peaceful and governed by natural law.
Why this is interesting
Imagine living without any government or laws—what would life be like? Would it be peaceful or chaotic? These questions led two philosophers to imagine a 'state of nature' and propose how society should be formed.
Read the full explanation
Understanding Social Contract Theory: Hobbes and Locke
The social contract is a hypothetical agreement among individuals to form a society and government. Both Hobbes and Locke used the idea of a state of nature—how people might live without government—to justify political authority. Hobbes argued that without a strong ruler, life would be a constant struggle for self-preservation. To escape this, people agree to give up most of their freedom to an absolute sovereign (the Leviathan) who ensures peace. In contrast, Locke claimed people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. They consent to government only to protect these rights. If the government violates the contract, people have the right to overthrow it. Thus, while Hobbes saw the contract as a one-way submission for security, Locke saw it as a conditional trust that limits government power.
A deeper explanation
The underlying principle of social contract theory is that political authority is not divinely ordained or naturally given but arises from the consent of the governed. Hobbes and Locke represent two major branches: absolutism and liberalism. Hobbes, writing after the English Civil War, emphasized the need for security above all, leading to a near-total transfer of rights to a sovereign. Locke, reacting against absolute monarchy, argued that the contract preserves natural rights and allows revolution against tyranny. Their theories matter because they shape modern concepts of democracy, constitutionalism, and human rights. The social contract remains a powerful tool for analyzing the legitimacy of governments and the moral foundations of political obligation, influencing thinkers like Rousseau, Kant, and the framers of the U.S. Constitution.