How does the Social Contract Theory address the problem of political legitimacy?

Philosophy Social Contract Theory Questions



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How does the Social Contract Theory address the problem of political legitimacy?

The Social Contract Theory addresses the problem of political legitimacy by proposing that the authority of the government is derived from an agreement or contract among individuals in a society. According to this theory, individuals willingly give up some of their natural rights and freedoms in exchange for the protection and benefits provided by the government. This agreement establishes the legitimacy of the government's power, as it is based on the consent of the governed. The theory argues that political legitimacy is not inherent or based on divine right, but rather on the voluntary agreement of the people.