--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: However, it was the great 18th century…" description: "\"However, it was the great 18th century social philosophers John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau who brought the concept of a social con..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/287/simon-mainwaring-3578_18th-century_however-it-was-the-great-18th-century-so_984007.png" --- # However, it was the great 18th century social philosophers… ![“However, it was the great 18th century social philosophers John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau who brought the concept of a social contract between citizens and governments sharply into political thinking, paving the way for popular democracy and constitutional republicanism.” quote by Simon Mainwaring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/287/simon-mainwaring-3578_18th-century_however-it-was-the-great-18th-century-so_984007.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/287/simon-mainwaring-3578_18th-century_however-it-was-the-great-18th-century-so_984007.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/287/simon-mainwaring-3578_18th-century_however-it-was-the-great-18th-century-so_984007.png) > “However, it was the great 18th century social philosophers John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau who brought the concept of a social contract between citizens and governments sharply into political thinking, paving the way for popular democracy and constitutional republicanism.” [Simon Mainwaring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mainwaring/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights how Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau shaped modern democracy by introducing the idea that government legitimacy rests on a mutual agreement with citizens. **In simple terms:** Social contract ideas modern democracy. Key Takeaway Recognize the power of collective agreement. Themes politics philosophy democracy government rights Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type analytical historical When to use this quote - policy making - civic education - constitutional reform - public debate Key Concepts social contract legitimacy popular sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - How does a social contract address inequality? - What responsibilities do citizens have under such a contract? A Different Perspective The theory can overlook power imbalances in practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Jacques rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jacques-rousseau/) [Paving the way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paving-the-way/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social contract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-contract/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [The theory of social contracts extends as far back as Plato. 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