Final answer:
The social contract theory describes the state's authority as stemming from an implicit agreement where people give power to the government for their collective well-being. Option 'a' correctly encapsulates this theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social contract theory of how the state came to be is described by the idea that people in a society collectively surrender certain natural rights and impart authority to a state or government to ensure the protection and well-being of all. The correct answer to the question 'Which of the following describes the social contract theory of how the state came to be?' is 'a. The people gave power to the government for the well-being of all.' This concept was explored by several Enlightenment philosophers, including Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who presented various iterations of the social contract. These philosophers agreed that the government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed, with the expectation that the government will protect citizens' rights and freedoms. According to social contract theory, the government should serve the interests of its people, and if it fails to do so, people have the right to withdraw their consent and seek a new form of governance.