Final answer:
Individuals voluntarily relinquish certain freedoms and natural rights in exchange for the benefits of security, order, and public goods provided by society under the Social Contract Theory. This agreement involves abiding by laws for general welfare, but also entails the right to withdraw consent if the government fails to protect the citizen's rights and interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Social Contract Theory, individuals voluntarily give up certain freedoms and natural rights when they enter a society in exchange for the benefits of organized living. The social contract is a theoretical construct that suggests an unspoken and unwritten agreement between the people and their governing bodies. As part of this contract, individuals consent to abide by laws and regulations, sacrificing some of their autonomy, in order to receive societal benefits such as security, public goods, and the protection of certain inalienable rights.
Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau contributed to the development of the theory. Each had their interpretation of what freedoms are given up and what the role of government should be. Hobbes believed in strong state control, Locke emphasized the protection of life, liberty, and property, and Rousseau focused on the general will and the direct participation of people in governance. However, all these theorists agreed on the exchange of liberties for protection and services provided by the state.
Notably, the social contract also implies that if the government fails to safeguard the rights and welfare of the citizens, they have the right to withdraw their consent and challenge the legitimacy of the government. This aspect underlines the dynamic nature of the agreement between individuals and the state.