Final answer:
People would give up some freedom under Thomas Hobbes's social contract to receive government protection, ensuring peace, stability, and order in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the social contract as proposed by Thomas Hobbes, people would give up some level of freedom primarily to receive government protection. Hobbes believed that in a state of nature, life would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short' due to the constant competition and fear among individuals. Hence, to escape such an unpleasant condition, they would transfer their natural rights and absolute power to a monarch. The monarch, in turn, would ensure peace, stability, and order. Hobbes endorsed a monarchy over other forms of government because he considered absolute authority crucial for an effective government, which would provide safety and security for the populace.
John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau also proposed social contract theories, but with significant differences from Hobbes. While Hobbes leaned towards an authoritarian form of government, Locke and Rousseau emphasized that the government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed, and the government should protect the rights and properties of individuals. To maintain a balance, people would willingly exchange some liberties for the benefits of basic services and protections afforded by the civil society.