The idea of a social contract evolved out of the three estates of medeival europe. The early contract defines the rights and obligations of the nobility, clergy and peasants. The nobility fought wars and (in theory) protected the clergy and peasants from warriors and outlaws. The clergy saw after the souls of the nobility and peasants. The peasants worked the estates of the nobility, paid taxes and fought when called upon by their lord.
This was the early social contract, which was first formalized in the Magna Carta. This historical document explained the obligations and rights of King John in relation to the lower nobility. It was the first time a contract was signed between a ruler and his subject.
The social contract was defined by philosophers much later, but this is where the idea developed. It was later used to justify democracy. The rights and duties of each citizen was outlined. The right of the government to rule was drawn from the contract between citizen and ruler. When the thirteen colonies formed the United States, a social contract was drawn up--first as the Articles of Confederation, then as the constitution. Later generations are deemed to be subject to that social contract their forefathers developed.
The social contract is tangible. Natural law is mythical. It says that "nature" or god gives each individual inherent rights. It is the opposite of the social contract. If natural law existed, there would be no need of a social contract, because everyone would already know their rights and obligations.
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The idea of a social contract evolved out of the three estates of medeival europe. The early contract defines the rights and obligations of the nobility, clergy and peasants. The nobility fought wars and (in theory) protected the clergy and peasants from warriors and outlaws. The clergy saw after the souls of the nobility and peasants. The peasants worked the estates of the nobility, paid taxes and fought when called upon by their lord.
This was the early social contract, which was first formalized in the Magna Carta. This historical document explained the obligations and rights of King John in relation to the lower nobility. It was the first time a contract was signed between a ruler and his subject.
The social contract was defined by philosophers much later, but this is where the idea developed. It was later used to justify democracy. The rights and duties of each citizen was outlined. The right of the government to rule was drawn from the contract between citizen and ruler. When the thirteen colonies formed the United States, a social contract was drawn up--first as the Articles of Confederation, then as the constitution. Later generations are deemed to be subject to that social contract their forefathers developed.
The social contract is tangible. Natural law is mythical. It says that "nature" or god gives each individual inherent rights. It is the opposite of the social contract. If natural law existed, there would be no need of a social contract, because everyone would already know their rights and obligations.