Introduction
The social contract theory requires individuals in society to reside together in harmony, following a consensus that creates ministerial and principled obligations of conduct. Over the years, several philosophers like Socrates have attempted to describe the perfect social contract and assess the evolution of existing social theories (Kanatli, 2021). Some philosophers have suggested that ethics are rules that govern rational individuals’ behavior, and they require others to follow. The social theories may be implicit, like raising a hand in an event to speak, or explicit, for example, laws. Another detailed example is the U.S. Constitution is part of the social contract setting out what the federal government should and can do (Rousseau, 2018). This essay analyzes the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the theories on the racial discrimination issue.
Social Contract Theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
The state of humankind was one where there existed no enforceable standard for wrong and right. Human life was brutal, poor, and nasty since individuals had no set of laws to govern and create harmony in society. According to Hobbes, the sovereign’s authority is outright, meaning no jurisdiction overpowers the sovereign, which is the law (Kanatli, 2021). However, the sovereign’s power is not all-encompassing; citizens can be free and act as they desire in events where the action is not addressed. Locke suggests that the essential principle of political and social liberalism is that the absence of consent and subjection to power cannot exist (Borinshtein et al., 2021). Furthermore, in a political society, people must accept and follow the majority’s decision since the emphasis of legislation rests with them. According to Rousseau’s theory, the situation of nature is proportionately peaceful. However, the social contract becomes necessary to overcome disputes that unavoidably arise due to the growth of people and society (Rousseau, 2018). Advancement in society means that people become dependent as they desire to meet their needs.
Racial discrimination is among the essential social issues that increase disparities in society. The strength of Hobbes’ theory in addressing racial discrimination is that the political state can enforce laws that promote equality, making citizens obliged to follow since the state’s power is uncontested (Kanatli, 2021). However, the shortcoming of this theory is that if the law fails to address the racism issue, individuals remain free to do what they please. Locke’s approach has a significant advantage in tackling the social problem of racial discrimination since society is required to accept the majority’s decision. When individuals generally decide to enhance equity, it becomes law, and every citizen is obligated to follow it. The disadvantage of Locke’s theory is that the majority can decide on hostile laws that encourage discrimination, thereby not solving the issue (Borinshtein et al., 2021). Rousseau’s theory is advantageous since it offers a set of rules for citizens to follow, thereby preventing bias that arises as society grows.
The traditional social contract theories require citizens to oblige to laws since they agree. However, these theories have several shortcomings in tackling contemporary issues in society. Racial discrimination affects several individuals in society; however, the traditional social contract approaches fail to address the problem. Black and indigenous communities in the U.S. have access to minimal opportunities, thereby denying them the chance to get basic needs like healthcare, housing, and food. The laws promote segregation and exclusion of communities of color in the housing sector, denying them a chance to create wealth. The theories require citizens to follow these regulations despite them being unethical.
Conclusion
In conclusion, notwithstanding whether the ethical basis is implicit or explicit, the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau offer a practical approach to goodwill in society. By contrasting and comparing liberal democracy and the situation of nature, the theories aim to examine and demonstrate the meaning and benefit of constituted governance. Moreover, they have aided in identifying the most beneficial government for societies and the optimal condition of leadership to maintain. With structured governance, misinterpretation or communication difficulties are kept to a minimum.
References
Borinshtein, Y., Stovpets O., Kukshinova, O., Kisse, A., & Kucherenko, N. (2021). Phenomena of freedom and justice in the interpretations of T. Hobbes and J. Locke. Amazonia Investiga, 10(42), 255-263.
Kanatli, M. (2021). Private property, freedom, and order: Social contract theories from Hobbes to Rawls (1st ed.). London: Routledge India.
Rousseau, J. (2018). Rousseau: The Social Contract and Other Later Political Writings (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.