Flashcard: Why does the state exist ? Cours 1 — 11 carte

Social contract — purpose?

Establishes social order and authority.

Social contract — definition?

Voluntary agreement justifying state's origin.

State of nature — characteristics?

Pre-civil society, humans free and equal.

State of nature — characteristics?

Pre-civil, humans free, equal, ungoverned.

Hobbes' view — human nature?

Evil, selfish, perpetual war.

Hobbes — view of natural state?

Perpetual war,

Locke — natural rights?

Life, liberty, property; inalienable rights.

Rousseau — human nature?

Inherently good; society causes inequality.

Sovereign — role?

Enforce laws, maintain order.

General will — concept?

Collective interest guiding Rousseau's state.

Natural law — purpose?

Guide human behavior to avoid harm.