Social Contract

A social contract is defined as “an agreement between two or more parties for the doing or not doing of something specified.” This is just one of many definitions, but this is one of the most generalized. A contract is something that binds people one way or another, whether it’s by law, or by unspoken rule, it binds people to something, usually to some sort of social etiquette or action. To have a contract means that both sides have consented, but that doesn’t mean in the world of politics that there hasn’t been blackmailing or some other form of forcing the other party into agreement, but it is usually seen as an agreement. Social contracts are very common. The most common are called “laws.” Laws are a form of social contract, they are forced upon our general population, but it is widely known that they are usually for our own good and safety. Another important form of social contract is etiquette. It is widely known that people should not eat food with their hands in public. This is a very set and stated rule of etiquette. However, there are also unspoken rules such as keeping your voice down on trains and busses. Social contracts are very important because they keep a society running smoothly. If people don’t have contracts they can make claims about anything and demand anything from others depending on what mood they’re in. Having laws keeps societies under control.