Social contracts are the origin of society. Without a firm social contract, society as we know it would not be possible. A social contract is only possible with the consent of the people. It is a social contract that establishes the legitimacy of authority and the state over the people. A social contract establishes the political community. A social contract establishes civil society. With a social contract the people trade personal freedom for social and political order. The people do surrender some freedoms to authority, but they do so voluntarily in exchange for protection of their remaining freedoms as well as the promise of services from government. A social contract expresses the general will of a people, their collective interests, and provides the basis for ensuring the general welfare of the people. A social contract offers the promise of personal protection and the rule of law in exchange for giving up the natural right of personal retaliation.
