Final answer:
The Mayflower Compact was an act of creating a social contract, setting the foundation for self-governance and democratic principles in the Plymouth colony.
Step-by-step explanation:
The writers and signers of the Mayflower Compact were taking the action of creating a social contract. The Compact established an initial government for the Plymouth colony based on the collective agreement and consent of the governed, thereby binding the members of the community in a common purpose to adhere to the laws and rules created by themselves. This foundational document set a precedent for self-governance and democratic principles in the New World, reflecting a commitment to direct democracy and the idea that governments should reflect the will of the people.