Introduction
The origin of the state has been explained by different theories. Two of the most influential are the Social Contract Theory and the Marxian Theory. The social contract theory emphasizes the voluntary agreement of individuals to form a state for security and order, while the Marxian theory sees the state as a product of class struggle and economic exploitation. In this answer, we will explain both theories and highlight their differences.
Social Contract Theory
The social contract theory was developed by philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Main Ideas:
- In the state of nature, human beings lived without a government. Life was uncertain and insecure.
- To overcome this, people entered into a social contract and created a state to protect life, liberty, and property.
- According to Hobbes, people gave up all rights to a sovereign authority (absolute monarchy). Locke believed in limited government to protect natural rights. Rousseau emphasized collective will (general will) as the basis of the state.
- Thus, the state is based on agreement and consent of the people.
Marxian Theory of the State
The Marxian theory was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 19th century. It explains the state as a product of economic structures and class conflict.
Main Ideas:
- The state did not arise from a voluntary agreement but from historical development of class divisions.
- In societies divided into classes (e.g., slaves and masters, landlords and peasants, capitalists and workers), the state emerged as an instrument of the ruling class to maintain control.
- The state protects the interests of the economically dominant class and suppresses the exploited classes.
- For Marx, the state will disappear in a classless, communist society, where governance will be replaced by self-regulation.
Key Differences
| Aspect | Social Contract Theory | Marxian Theory |
|---|---|---|
| Origin of State | Formed by voluntary agreement of individuals | Result of class struggle and economic exploitation |
| Purpose of State | To protect rights (life, liberty, property) | To maintain dominance of ruling class |
| View of People | Individuals are rational and enter into contract | Society divided into classes with conflicting interests |
| Nature of State | Based on consent and agreement | Instrument of coercion and oppression |
| Future of State | Continues as long as people uphold the contract | Will wither away in a classless, communist society |
Conclusion
The social contract theory and the Marxian theory provide very different explanations of the state. While the social contract emphasizes consent and agreement, the Marxian view stresses class conflict and economic power. Both theories have contributed to political thought, with the former shaping liberal democracies and the latter inspiring socialist and communist movements. Together, they offer contrasting but valuable insights into the origin and role of the state.