Final answer:
John Locke's social contract theory describes a contractual agreement between the citizens and their government, asserting that the people have a right to life, liberty, and property, which the government must protect.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Locke's social contract theory outlined the foundation of his political philosophy and described a contractual agreement between citizens and government in which the government's power is derived from the consent of the governed. According to Locke, individuals give up some personal freedoms for a collective societal benefit—the protection of their rights and property by the state.
The state, in turn, is obligated to respect and uphold the individuals' natural rights, including Life, Liberty, and Property. If the government breaches this contract by failing to protect these rights or by overreaching its authority, citizens retain the right to withdraw their consent and seek a new form of governance. Locke's ideas greatly influenced democratic principles, particularly the concept that government is the servant to the people rather than the other way around.