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Explain in brief the social contract theory.

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Social Contract Theory: 

Social contract theory is regarded as the most important among the theories in relation to origin of the state. The birth of this theory came as a rejection of the Divine theory of the origin of the state. In 17th and 18th century, this theory had a great deal of importance.

Social contract theory is regarded as an imaginary theory. According to it, the state is not a creation of God, instead, it is a man – made institution. Its creation is the result of that social contract which was done by the people to end the natural state.

It is the conviction of the supporters of this theory that people spent their time in the lack of any state institution in an anarchic or natural state. How was the condition of people in this lawless time? Political thinkers differ on it. According to some scholars, there was an ideal state in this period, wherein people mutually behaved as per religious tenets. Other scholars think that the people were poor, sinful and burtal.

At a later stage, the people felt the necessity of a state institution on account of many reasons and then they decided to ink a contract, and as a result, there was emergence of the state. After the advent of state institution, people, on their own, accepted their subordination to the society and the state. In lieu of surrender to the state, people received the patronage of the entire society.

Historical Background and Development of the Theory: Despite the social contract theory being a modern concept as regards origin of the state, it is very ancient with historical viewpoint. This theory (principle) gained huge support. There is a detailed description of this theory in the shanti Rarva of Mahabharata. Acharya Chanakya (Kautilya) accepted this principle in relation to the origin of state institution. There is also a reference of this theory in Jain and Buddhist literatures.

In ancient time, sophist thinkers of Greece firstly propagated this theory. They regarded the state as an artificial institution and a result of a contract agreement. Roman thinkers emphasized on the point that people are the ultimate source of monarchy. Richard Hooker, a scholar, explained this theory scientifically for the first time. Scholars Gracias and Spinoza nurtured this further.

Between 16th and 18th centuries, many scholars came to the fore in Europe who propagated this theory in a pure form, but the contribution of this theory being propagated in a scientific and systematic form goes to Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Rousseau.

Hobbes, through this principle (theory), tries to justify autocratic monarchy, whereas Locke justifies limited monarchy and Rousseau promotes popular sovereignty. According to Hobbes, each time, people came together to form the state out of fear of their lives. According to Locke, people formed the state by mutual contract in order to weed out many inconveniences. According to Rousseau, humans, in order to gain their lost freedom, formed the state by inking a contract.

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Yaa.its correct

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