Evolution: the Concept of Social Contract Led to the Exponential Evolution of Law.

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Izza Adnan Hamza Khalil SS 100 16 October 2012 EVOLUTION: The concept of social contract led to the exponential evolution of law. Thesis statement: The introduction and implementation of social contract changed the reasoning behind law, the mechanism of creating law and its implementation and thus there was an exponential evolution of law. “Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains”, (Locke, Social Contract: Essays.) a line with which Rousseau begins his famous essay on concept of the social contract. In this line he explains the state of nature in which man was born and explains how different norms of the society have caged him. The social interactions between individuals have helped man realize the need of laws to live in a civilized way in this society. Laws bind together a society and are a reflection of society in general. According to the theory of social contract “persons’ moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form a society in which they live” (“Social Contract Theory” 1). It is based on the two basic principles of freedom and equality. While some may argue that the concept of social contract had no effect on the evolution of law and law was evolving at its own pace, however, this paper will be analyzing how social contract led to the exponential evolution of law due to its introduction and implementation on governments and individuals. Social contract changed the reasoning for the need for law, the mechanism of creating law and the implementation of law. The Divine Word was the rule of law; however the introduction of the concept of social contract changed the frame of mind of all individuals making them realize the need for laws in society. People might argue that law was not needed for the betterment of society; surely the existence of law made all individuals more compromising and

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