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MENTAL MODEL · M0368

Social Contract Theory

Social Contract Theory
BehaviorHigh supportPsychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

The Social Contract (French: Du contrat social ou Principes du droit politique, also translated as The Social Contract or Principles of Political Right) is a book written by Swiss-French thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau in 1762. The idea of popular sovereignty in The Social Contract is the cornerstone of modern democratic systems, profoundly influencing the movement to gradually abolish absolute monarchy in Europe and the struggle of North American colonies to break away from British rule and establish democratic systems in the late 18th century. The American Declaration of Independence, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and the constitutions of both countries all embody the democratic ideas of The Social Contract.

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The Social Contract (French: Du contrat social ou Principes du droit politique, also translated as The Social Contract or Principles of Political Right) is a book written by Swiss-French thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau in 1762. The idea of popular sovereignty in The Social Contract is the cornerstone of modern democratic systems, profoundly influencing the movement to gradually abolish absolute monarchy in Europe and the struggle of North American colonies to break away from British rule and establish democratic systems in the late 18th century.

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Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau: Individuals in the state of nature cede part of their freedom to the sovereign in exchange for security and order. The legitimacy of rule comes from the consent of the governed; if the contract is breached (tyranny), the governed have the right to withdraw. It is an exchange of 'consent for protection'.

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Source support: Explicit

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    zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A4%BE%E4%BC%9A%E5%A5%91%E7%BA%A6%E8%AE%BAZH · Explicit
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