Social Contract Theory and Legitimacy: From History to Modern Times

As a core theory of Western political philosophy, social contract theory shapes the foundation of Western political systems and plays an important role in understanding the sources of state power and the construction of government legitimacy. This article explores the relationship between social contract theory and political legitimacy and analyzes the evolution of ideas from history to modern times. Through the viewpoints of classic social contract theorists such as Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, this paper constructs the legitimacy basis that government power originates from the consent of the people. At the same time, the paper explores the influence of contract theory during the Enlightenment period on the American Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution, and discusses John Rawls’ reconstruction of modern contract theory, as well as the challenges posed by feminist and environmental ethics. Social contract theory has not only shaped political legitimacy in history but also demonstrated its lasting vitality and broad application prospects in contemporary political and ethical issues.