Questions on Social Contract Theory
"Social contract theory" is a philosophy based on individuals entering an agreement to form an organized society with the primary motivation of protection, while agreeing to surrender some or all personal liberties. The theory is traced to Plato, while he was pondering the relationship between individuals and governments. At its core, SCT states that a government only has legitimate authority when it has the consent of its citizens. SCT is complex and unable to provide a solid social solution due to a variety of questions the philosophy raises.
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Morality Issues
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The majority of questions concerning social contract theory are related to morality. California State University at Sacramento notes that "according to SCT, morality is just a contract" for a set of behavioral rules accepted by individuals on the grounds that others adopt the same behaviors. Questions arise such as: What is the basis of moral law? Is it based on religious moral laws? If so, what religion? What about individuals who disagree with that particular belief system? Or, is it based on natural laws, such as survival of the fittest? Under natural law, are infants, the elderly or incapacitated individuals protected by the governmental authority, even when they are unable to "reciprocate benefits" to others in society?
Matters of Consent
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When an individual signs a contractual agreement or casts a vote to live under the terms of a social contract, they are giving consent. However, most individuals have been born within the boundaries of a governing authority after the agreements have been made. By continuing to live within those boundaries, they are giving "passive consent" to that authority. What about individuals who desire to remain, but don't wish to acknowledge the governing authority? What if through one means or another they "tell" the society they do not wish to be governed under the laws? Do they stop providing benefits to society as they continue to reap the benefits of living in that societal structure?
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Origin of Rights
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In the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers acknowledged that a person's individual rights "are endowed by their Creator." The social contract that is the United States Constitution, and later the Bill of Rights were written from that same viewpoint. Under Communism, Marxism and Socialism, an individual receives personal rights from the government. Under an authoritarian dictatorship an individual may have few rights. Who has the authority to grant rights? Is it a Divine Creator, the government or one man? Can those rights be taken away, and under what circumstances? How are individuals affected when personal rights have been stripped from them?
Individual vs. Collective
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Social contract theory requires an individual to put his own desires, and rights, aside for what is best for the community. A well-known example is China's One-Child Policy. Laura Fitzpatrick of "Time" Magazine recalls that after China improved sanitation and medical conditions, that led to a growing population. Rapid population growth caused concerns among officials, so Mao Zedong banned imports of birth control to ensure population growth. As communities were "collectivized" toward steel production, farming decreased, leading to a famine in 1962 that killed 30 million people. Since then, parents having only one child are praised and rewarded with benefits, including longer maternity leaves. However, the policy has lead to sexism, legal and illegal abortions and female infanticide.
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References
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