Andrew Holthusen

Per. 5
Adv. Government
9/21/13
Social contract essay
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents ever published
by the United States of America. It entailed our freedom of oppression from the English
Government, which it did through addressing certain things such as the Lockean concept of a
social contract.
The social contract was addressed in the Declaration of Natural rights, that all men are
created equal, with unalienable rights, among which were Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
Happiness. This lays out a basis for the entire social contract, which is that people living together
in an area with an agreement to abide by a certain system of laws under a government to protect
those unalienable rights of the people. If a government wasnt properly protecting those rights, or
infringing upon them, then it is the right of the people to overthrow that government and begin
anew.
John Locke was a large proponent of the social contract, arguing from the point of view
of a State of Nature. He thought that man craved to band together and live in a more peaceful
state, where one wouldnt have to worry about their lives being infringed upon by others. Since
everyone was owned by God, no one can rightfully take away that which is his, preventing us
from hurting one another.
Since in the State of Nature there is no civil power to whom men can appeal, and since
the Law of Nature allows them to defend their own lives, they may then kill those who would
bring force against them. Since the State of Nature lacks civil authority, once war begins it is
likely to continue. And this is one of the strongest reasons that men have to abandon the State of
Nature, by contracting together to form civil government. Other reasons to form a civil
government ranged widely. There wasnt an education system, housing, agriculture, industry,
etc. in this State of Nature, making the common man want to form this civil government.
This was achievable by agreeing upon a set of laws and statutes that would take away
certain freedoms to do whatever we pleased, but promised the freedom of not having to worry
about your entirety being at risk at any point by another being. The governments were there to
enforce those laws, ensuring that everyones freedom remained.
However, if for some reason the government failed on its part to uphold those essential
freedoms, then the power was with the people to overthrow that government and begin anew,
deciding what it is that they wanted, as laid out here in the Declaration: When a long train of
abuses and usurpations evinces a design to absolute despotism, it is their right, to throw off such
a government and emplace a new one for their future.(1) This did not mean, however, that the
social contract could be voided without a justified reason. Here is an example of these fail
safes that were laid out in the Declaration of Independence, as follows;
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless
suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has
utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation
of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in
the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.(1)