The Social Contract Theory and Democracy - Politics Essay and Discussion Example

Every human being has the right to democracy. It is a human right. A democratic government is defined by Bevir (2011) as a government for the people and by the people. Modern democracy is guided by the philosophy of citizens direct involvement or representation as well as the promotion of a given social contract. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Locke, and Thomas Hobbes are the most famous proponents of the social contract theory (Pope, 2015). However, Thomas Hobbes gives the theory the most prolific defense and exposition.

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According to Hobbes, who lived during the English Civil War (1642-1648), there must be a sovereign authority for the society to function properly but at the same time, advocates for political equality regarding obligation and equality (Martinich, 2012). This view is both conservative and radical although it was influenced by the circumstances of the historic war whereby the king' supports preferred a monarch while the parliamentarians preferred a more powerful parliament. In more specific terms, Hobbes argues from the point of the state of nature. According to him, human beings have a natural or innate desire to seek the best for themselves; and therefore, they must submit themselves to political authority if they are to achieve their desires (Martinich, 2012). Hobbes adds that although human beings are naturally rational, they must be submissive to authority so that there is the creation of a conducive environment (civil society) for them to achieve their interests. In this case, the members of the society must be willing to form a civil society with rules and regulations and agree to install an authority to enforce this social contract (Martinich, 2012).

On the one hand, human beings could benefit from Hobbes views of a social contract and submissive politics. First, when every citizen is submissive to a certain authority, there is a peaceful environment that enables development (Pope, 2015). If there were no authority in the US, for example, it would be difficult to establish a functional society. Therefore, in as much as there is a democracy, an authority works to ensure a conducive environment. Also, with the desire to have a civil society and an authority agreed upon by every citizen, the citizens can oust a non-performing authority, through a democratic election for instance, for the sake of their good.

On the other hand, following Hobbes views may lead to unprecedented danger. History has proved that some people who were entrusted with political power soon turned into dictators and tyrants, perpetrating mass murders, destruction and abuse of human rights (Bevir, 2011). This may have been a result of total submission to authority as proposed by Hobbes theory. Also, if Hobbes views are followed to the letter, some authorities may take advantage of the opportunity, especially those who have no intention of relinquishing power (Verschoor, 2015). This will mean that although the members of the society would wish to have a change, they would be forced to tolerate bad leaders. Such leaders subjugate the masses in a bid to insulate themselves against an ouster.

Discussion 1

On the social contract theory, John Locke bases his argument on the State of Nature to claim that there should be no authority to impose restrictions and punish offenders since every human being has the liberty to do whatever they wish without interference (Baker, 2013). Locke adds that upon recognizing the law of nature, people live peacefully.

On the other hand, Jean-Jacques Rousseau argues that under the State of Nature, man lived a peaceful and simplistic life, but with the introduction of property, conflicts began (Baker, 2013). It is for this reason that man must be committed to the good of the society and the authority, to the good of the individual (Baker, 2013). Unfortunately, the individuals, in this case, have no liberty to make decisions but as are forced to toe the line in a bid to ensure the functionality of the society as a whole.

The two views differ from those of Hobbes, who asserts that man is always seeking to fulfill some self-interest but at the same time, is rational, hence able to reason out the best ways to ensure they are secure in the society. No human being should be allowed to do whatever they please, as Locke proposes, or be forced to be free,' as proposed by Rousseau. Submission to authority is the only way out for a social contract to work, and that is why Hobbes prefers a democracy.

Discussion 2

Winston Churchill opines that democracy is not the best form of government. Basing on the work of the three theorists discussed in this paper, democracy is not the finest form of government.

Although Hobbes advocates for democracy, Rousseau puts it tersely that democracy has chained man, instead of setting him free (Verschoor, 2015). This implies that although the citizens are purportedly directly involved in the daily affairs and decisions that their government makes there is an autocrat or a group of people that controls power. Also, John Lockes view is that a functional society is achievable without necessarily subjecting people to authority.

The main problem with democracy is selfishness. According to Verschoor (2015), most regimes in the world that claim to exercise democracy are driven by greed and struggle for power and wealth. This is in disregard of the social contract theory which asserts that a persons political obligation is dependent on an agreement or contract among members of that specific society. Democracy, therefore, beats the logic behind any social contract, and the dissatisfaction may lead to revolts and rebellions.

References

Baker, E. (2013). Social Contract, Essays by Locke, Hume and Rousseau. Read Books Ltd.

Bevir, M. (2011). Democratic Governance: A Genealogy. Local Government Studies, 37(1), 3-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03003930.2011.539860

Martinich, A. (2012). Egoism, Reason, and the Social Contract. Hobbes Studies, 25(2), 209-222. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/18750257-02502006

Pope, T. (2015). Social contract theory in American jurisprudence (1st ed.). London: Routledge.

Verschoor, M. (2015). The democratic boundary problem and social contract theory. European Journal of Political Theory. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1474885115572922