Final answer:
Thomas Hobbes called the social contract an exchange where individuals give up some freedoms for peace, safety, and order. It involves surrendering certain natural rights and delegating authority to enforce the contract.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Hobbes called the social contract an exchange where individuals collectively give up some of their freedoms in order to achieve peace, safety, and order within society. This metaphorical contract involves two main elements: the surrender of certain natural rights and the delegation of authority to enforce the contract to a person or assembly of people, such as a king or a parliament. Hobbes believed that a strong and absolute government, like a monarchy, was necessary to maintain effective governance.