MTTC 103 Elementary Practice

The idea that people should give up some of their rights to form a government is a central tenet of social contract theory, which was notably discussed by Thomas Hobbes in his work "Leviathan." Hobbes argued that in order to escape the chaos and violence that existed in a state of nature, individuals consent to surrender certain freedoms and submit to the authority of a sovereign in exchange for order and protection. This concept is foundational to the structure of modern governance, including the US Constitution, as it establishes the legitimacy of governmental authority based on the consent of the governed. The Constitution reflects this idea through its framework of establishing a government that operates with the consent of the people, balancing rights and responsibilities in a social contract. This mutual agreement is critical for maintaining order and safeguarding the rights of citizens while allowing the government to function effectively.