The Ethical Basis for the Relation of Individuals to Their Government
The ethical basis for the relationship between citizens and the government is that the latter sets laws and regulations that protect individuals’ rights and freedom. Conversely, the citizens are mandated to shelf their interests and obey the obey government for them to enjoy their protected rights. The citizens choose the government and surrender their rights to it. In return, the government guarantees the protection of those rights by enforcing laws and administering justice to all. It is justifiable for individuals to revolve against the government if it fails to fulfill its mandate as expected.
Restricted Liberties as an Ethical Issue
The relationship between individuals and social institutions is always strained. Human beings, by nature, have the desire to have liberties to do what they feel serves their interest best. Everybody is determined to make choices about what to do and how to lead their life without interference from anybody. However, such freedoms are not good for all since they nurture individualism and selfishness, factors that contribute to social conflicts. As result, the government sets laws and enforces them to ensure that all people enjoy their liberties. However, while these liberties are clearly outlined in the constitution, social institutions restrict them by enforcing set laws to ensure a harmonious society, creating tension between the government and the citizens. For instance, the government restricts freedom of expression since it is likely to violate the moral values of society and facilitate the transmission of messages that can incite violence and hatred.
Social Contract Theories
Hobbes’ Theory
Hobbes’ theory of social contract indicates that human beings lived in a state of nature dominated by fear and selfishness. Every individual had the right to everything they desired and impartial power to prevent violent people from forcefully taking what is necessary for others’ survival never existed (Economides, 2018). Therefore, such a state of nature leads to conflict among all people, resulting in solitary, brutish, poor, and nasty human life. According to Hobbes, the only solution is achievable when individuals relinquish the right to everything and obey a central authority (Economides, 2018). The latter has the absolute power to guarantee the safety and security of all. The theory holds that individuals should submit to the central authority or government in all matters.
Locke’s Theory
Locke’s theory of social contact also holds that human beings lived in a state of nature but differs significantly from Hobbes’ perspective. The state of nature depicted in this theory was reasonably enjoyable and good. All people were independent and equal, with complete liberty to lead their life to the best of their interests (Economides, 2018). Nevertheless, property safety in the state of nature was a significant concern due to the absence of established laws, impartial judges, and natural power to enforce the accepted laws. Therefore the need to have effective protection over the properties led humans to enter into a social contract with a central authority, the government (Economides, 2018). Individuals retained some fundamental rights such as rights to liberty and life since they were considered natural and inalienable. This theory also holds that revolt against the central authority is justifiable if the latter fails to accomplish its basic purpose.
Rousseau’s Theory
Rousseau’s theory of social contract acknowledges that human beings lived in a happy and peaceful state of nature where all men were equal. However, changes were inevitable as the population increased necessitating the need to adopt alternative approaches to satisfy peoples’ needs (Economides, 2018). People started living in small families and communities, introduced the division of labor, and later invented private property. Consequently, it was difficult to avoid conflicts in such a society, forcing people to enter into a social contract with a central authority. The contract is vital to overcoming the skirmishes that occurred perpetually as the population continued to grow and individuals became dependent on others to meet their needs (Economides, 2018). The government and laws formed under that contract guarantee rights, freedom, equality, and liberties to all based on what Rousseau terms as general will.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Theories
The major strengths of the three social contract theories are they advocate for the protection of individuals’ rights, lead to peaceful societies, and promote equality for all. Additionally, they accentuate that both citizens and the government have responsibility for each other that they must fulfill (Economides, 2018). However, these theories give the government too much power to create and enforce laws under the excuse of protecting the public. Government can use these theories to invoke the state of nature’s fear to warrant the formation of oppressive and intrusive laws. Hobbes’ theory does not explain how the public can end the social contract with the government (Economides, 2018). Locke’s theory over-emphasizes property rights whereas Rousseau’s theory does not differentiate between state, government and law, using them interchangeably, which is not applicable in present days.
Application of Social Contract Theory to Restricted Liberties
The three social contract theories justify why the government should restrict individuals’ liberties. Hobbes’ theory gives the government absolute power to decide how much liberty should be accorded to people to ensure other person’s freedom is not violated. Equally, Locke’s theory allows the impartial authority to set unbiased laws that limit individuals’ liberties to the point where enjoyment of the latter does negatively impact others. Rousseau’s theory allows the government to use the concept of the general will to limit an individual’s liberty.
References
Economides, N. (2018). The theory of social contract and legitimacy today. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 9(5), 19-28. Web.