Chapter 2: Foundations of the American Political System

Social Contract theory:

• a theory used in philosophy, political science, and sociology to denote a real or hypothetical agreement within a state regarding the rights and responsibilities of the state and its citizens, or more generally a similar concord between a group and its members. All members within a society are assumed to agree to the terms of the social contract by their choice to stay within the society.

Thomas Hobbes : Social Contract Theorist

• Natural rights/survival = social contract & Leviathan

• Believed in right to life only and state provides protection

• State of extreme peril

John Locke: Social Contract Theorist

• More optimistic view of natural state

• People motivated by self-interest

• Rights to life, liberty and property

• Grounds for revolution under his theory more numerous and varied in civil society

• **The United States Constitution is a social contract in the sense that it grants powers to a government and limits it by describing rights retained by individuals.**

United States History

• Under social contract with King of England

• Why did colonists come to America?– Religious independence – Land/natural resources– Distance

United States History

• The Declaration of Independence• July 2, 1776: Continental Congress

approved• Formal document drafted by Thomas

Jefferson• Lockean flavor—“All men are created

equal”

United States History

• Articles of Confederation created a national government with very limited powers.

• Did not create chief executive• Did not create courts• Est. limited Congress• Complaints about Articles:

– Congress & trade– Too weak– Role of state v. federal– Sentiment that to establish stronger national govt.– Shays rebellion

United States History

• The Constitutional Convention