The social contract theory is a purveyor of development. The developmental projects carried out by the government is anchored on the social contract binding the citizens and the state of which, the government is the agent. The development projects embarked upon by the government are part of the social contract agreement and so must be implemented.
Social contract theory in social philosophy, is the doctrine that individuals give up certain liberties and rights to the state, which in turn guarantees such right as life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, security, etc. The social contract theory explains both the origin of the state and a defense of his authority. The proponents of the social contract theory were a group of philosophers who believed that there was a time when men out of their volition agreed to bind themselves together under a government, and each person is duty bound to keep to the terms of this agreement. The theory is so called because it portrays the element of mutual agreement. Examples of proponents include: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau.
It was part of the social contract that individuals will give fraction of their finances to the state while the state is obliged to use this fraction given to her by the citizens to bring about developmental projects that will ameliorate their plight. These projects include the establishment of strong security network for the protection of lives and property of the citizenry, the construction of roads, provision of pipe-borne water, provision of health care facility that is affordable by the citizens, creation of jobs, etc. These developmental projects could otherwise be known as dividends of democracy. Erring citizens are coerced to keep to their part of the agreement. The government could also be forced to keep to their own part, through the instrument of labour unionism. Apart from the labour unions, the press also plays a great role in ensuring that the fruits of democracy gets to the people. This is why we can conveniently say that the press plays a watch dog role to the people.
The thrust of the watch-dog role of journalists, is the observation of the feelings and reactions of the people regarding the policies of government and making it known to the government. The watch-dog role also brings into focus man’s inhumanity to man.
According to Matthew A. Izibili Ph.D, in the book “Kpim of Democracy: Thematic Introduction to socio-political philosophy”, John locke, used the same social contract theory to prove that the English people had the right to overthrow King James II, and invite William of Orange to take over the throne. The overthrow of King James II, was as a result of the fact that he was not keeping his part of agreement of the social contract. We can infer from the above that the agreement so entered is of two folds: (1) It is binding on the state, represented by the government and (2) Is also binding on the subjects known as the citizens. The state powers are limited to the terms of the agreement, and as long as the state keeps to his own side of the agreement, that is to ensure that the rights and liberties, as well as property and freedom of the citizens are adequately taken care of.
The government according to John Locke, is the servant of the people and is responsible to her people. Hence, the agreement is limited and revocable. Our political leaders are supposed to bring development to the doorstep of the citizenry, because it is their right, for as long as the citizens pay their taxes. We are looking towards the day when tax payers will take to protest over the misuse of heir money which they pay as tax to the government. The tax payers money no longer reflects the need why it was being collected. The tax payers money are spent on personal aggrandisement, and also in sponsoring family members abroad by some of our political leaders. The tax payers money has also been used to carry out projects that do not have direct bearing on the citizens but to boost their ego.
The political leaders we are talking about here know themselves, and they should know that they are there to meet the aspirations of the citizens and to bring joy and happiness to their faces. This can only be done when they keep to their own part of the agreement and then bring to manifestation good development projects.
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