This intellectual study explores social contract theory, a central idea in political philosophy originating in the Enlightenment, examining the legitimacy of state power over individuals. The book explains how individuals agree, implicitly or explicitly, to give up part of their freedom in exchange for the safety and protection provided by the state. The work deals with the development of this theory from its origins in Greek philosophy and Roman law, through its profound influence on political philosophy during the Middle Ages, until its complete crystallization in the ideas of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. It shows how these concepts were used to justify political structures and form constitutions, including their influence on the American Declaration of Independence and the development of modern democracy.
This book is not limited to being a historical study, but rather an analysis of how these theories continue to influence political thinking and governmental systems until the modern era.