History 10

Social Contract and Paradigms

Mapping

• The importance of geography cannot be overstated when you are studying history and international issues.

• Remember, this unit starts at around 1500

Geography is Everything

• What advantages does England have being on an Island?

• What disadvantages are there to being on an Island? 

• What country is England closest to?

• Why is the Mediterranean Sea such an important trade route?

• Why would a country want to control the Straight of Gibraltar?

• Which powerful European country is in the least advantageous position when it comes to warfare and trade by Sea?

The Social Contract and Paradigms

• In society there are a number of different paradigms which are patterns of ideas, beliefs, and values which are used to understand reality

• Paradigms help humans perceive and understand certain aspects of reality more clearly and limit the awareness and understanding of other aspects of reality.

• Within this paradigm is a way in which the society decides to be governed. This decision and what the people are left with is called a SOCIAL CONTRACT

Social Contract

• Social Contract- a social contract is an agreement between the rulers and the ruled which defines the rights and duties of each

• Examples of different social contracts:• China (Communism) Vs Canada (Democracy)

• Criminal (Jail) Vs Freedom

• Aboriginal Vs Catholicism (Women’s role, spiritual)

• Muslims in the Western World- Niqab’s and Mosques

Thomas Hobbes

• Thomas Hobbes – Social views written in The Leviathan

• Believed that people entered into a contract with a ruler where they agreed to give up their freedom to a ruler who ensured peace and order

• Therefore, the best ruler had ABSOLUTE POWER

• Once people entered into this contract, they could not rebel, even if they thought their ruler was a tyrant.

• Example: France- Absolute Monarchy

John Locke

• John Locke - Agreed with Hobbes that the purpose of government was to establish order in society and there was a contract between society and the ruler(s)

• However, Locke argued that the rulers could stay in power only as long as they had the support of the people

• If the ruler was a tyrant, he could be overthrown• French Revolution 1789

• The leaders’ power should be limited

Locke and Hobbes

• How do the differences between Locke and Hobbes effect us?

• What happens when there is conflict within the social contract?

Political Decision Making

• Political decision making occurs in every social organization in an attempt to help the two parties meet the different needs and wants within the organization.

*Examples-

• 1)What happens in society when the Church comes under fire from scientists? Do you allow the scientists theories to be published? Who makes that decision? What about education, who decides what we learn?

• 2)Why is democracy important in this situation?

Power and Control

• After a social contract has been established, there are a number of ways to express the power by the leadership.

• Power is the ability make and carry out decisions

• It can be expressed through numbers, resources, organization and control of and access to information.

• Once one has gained power it can be maintained through force, influence and reliance on authority

Social Contracts at School

• Who makes rules about school?

• What is a student legally required to do?

• What must a teacher do?