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Social Contract Theory Worksheet

Explore the principles of social contract theory and its impact on government and individual rights for 7th-grade social studies.

Grade 7 Social studies Civics & GovernmentSocial Contract
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Fill in the BlanksMultiple ChoiceTrue / FalseShort AnswerCustom

Standards

D2.Civ.1.6-8. Explain how the U.S. Constitution establishes a system of government that has powers, responsibilities, and limits that have changed over time.D2.Civ.2.6-8. Evaluate the effectiveness of government policies in addressing societal problems.D2.Civ.5.6-8. Explain the origins, functions, and structures of government with reference to the U.S. Constitution, state constitutions, and tribal constitutions.

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social contractgovernmentcivicsrightsgrade 7
7 sections · Free to use · Printable
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Social Contract Theory

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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. This worksheet explores the concept of the social contract.

1. The social contract is an agreement among individuals to cooperate for social   and to establish a set of rules for their society.

2. In a state of nature, without government or laws, people are said to live in complete  .

3. Philosophers like John Locke argued that individuals have natural  , such as life, liberty, and property.

4. Thomas Hobbes believed that an absolute   was necessary to prevent chaos in society.

5. Which of the following best describes the main idea of the social contract?

a

People give up all their freedoms to the government.

b

Individuals agree to follow rules for the common good and protection.

c

Government has unlimited power over its citizens.

d

The strongest individuals rule over everyone else.

6. Which philosopher is known for arguing that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property?

a

Thomas Hobbes

b

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

c

John Locke

d

Baron de Montesquieu

7. According to social contract theory, people give up all their individual rights when they form a government.

T

True

F

False

8. The concept of the social contract is primarily about individuals seeking personal gain without considering others.

T

True

F

False

9. In your own words, explain what a 'state of nature' means in the context of social contract theory.

10. How does the idea of natural rights, as proposed by John Locke, influence the structure of government according to social contract theory?

11. Look at the image below, which is the frontispiece from Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan. How does this image visually represent the idea of a strong, central authority as necessary for social order?

Frontispiece of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan

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