Social Contract Theory – Hobbes vs Locke vs Rousseau
UPSC PSIR | Western Political Thought | Ultra Comparative Revision Page
1️⃣ CONTEXT
Social Contract Theory explains:
- Origin of state
- Legitimacy of political authority
- Relation between individual and state
Major Thinkers:
- Thomas Hobbes
- John Locke
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
2️⃣ STATE OF NATURE (Comparison)
| Thinker | Nature of State of Nature |
|---|---|
| Hobbes | War of all against all; insecurity & fear |
| Locke | Peaceful but inconvenient; governed by natural law |
| Rousseau | Simple, peaceful, morally pure; corrupted by property |
3️⃣ PURPOSE OF CONTRACT
| Thinker | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hobbes | Security & order |
| Locke | Protection of natural rights |
| Rousseau | Preservation of freedom & equality |
4️⃣ NATURE OF SOVEREIGNTY
- Hobbes: Absolute & indivisible sovereignty
- Locke: Limited & constitutional sovereignty
- Rousseau: Popular & indivisible sovereignty
5️⃣ RIGHT TO RESISTANCE
- Hobbes → No right to rebellion
- Locke → Right to revolution
- Rousseau → Obedience to General Will only
6️⃣ VIEW ON PROPERTY
- Hobbes → Created by sovereign
- Locke → Natural right through labor
- Rousseau → Root cause of inequality
7️⃣ TYPE OF POLITICAL SYSTEM IMPLIED
- Hobbes → Authoritarian state
- Locke → Liberal constitutional democracy
- Rousseau → Participatory democracy
8️⃣ PHILOSOPHICAL PRIORITY
- Hobbes → Order
- Locke → Liberty
- Rousseau → Moral freedom
9️⃣ CRITICAL DEBATE
- Hobbes → Justifies absolutism
- Locke → Supports capitalism & inequality
- Rousseau → Risk of totalitarian interpretation
🔟 20-MARK ANSWER TEMPLATE
Introduction: Social contract as modern theory of state legitimacy.
Body: Compare state of nature, sovereignty, property & resistance.
Critical Analysis: Liberal vs Democratic vs Authoritarian tendencies.
Conclusion: Social contract evolves from order → rights → freedom.
FINAL MEMORY CODE
- Hobbes = Order
- Locke = Rights
- Rousseau = Freedom
Social Contract = Evolution of Modern Political Thought
Shaktimatha Learning – Western Political Theory Master Series
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