2 2025 – DUE 28 August 2025; 100% correct solutions and
explanations.
QUESTION 1
1.1 Define the parameters of the concept of “social contract”
The concept of the “social contract” refers to an implicit or explicit
agreement between individuals and their governing authority, where
individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms and submit
to the authority of the state in exchange for protection of their
remaining rights. The theory is rooted in the works of philosophers
such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Key parameters include:
Mutual Agreement: Citizens agree to abide by common rules,
and the state agrees to protect their rights.
Legitimacy of Authority: Government’s authority is
considered legitimate only if it is based on the consent of the
governed.
Protection of Rights: Individuals give up certain freedoms for
collective security and legal protections.
Reciprocity: The state must also fulfill its obligations; if it
fails, citizens may be justified in resisting or replacing it.
Foundation of Modern Democracies: The social contract
underpins constitutional governments and democratic values.
Moral and Political Philosophy: It provides a basis for
discussing justice, law, and the role of government in society.
1.2 Distinguish between the following terms: prosecutors and
state advocates, state attorneys and attorneys