Social contract: the concept that an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will and all individuals should be forced to abide by it since it represents what is best for the entire community

Thomas Hobbes (1588 - 1679), John Locke (1632 - 1704), and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778)

Read 1,602 reviews from the world’s largest community for readers. "Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains." These are the famous opening words…

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Rousseau’s theory of the General Will is framed by his wider Social Contract theory of governance. Here, the individual must deny themselves notions of absolute freedom and ‘rights’ if these are not...

Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau Comparison Grid:

John Locke contributed to the social contract theory. He lived in England from 1632-1704. He wrote "A letter concerning Toleration." He contributed to modern life by emphasizing natural law.