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Are social contracts possible without actual negotiation?

Author

Listed:
  • Randall G. Holcombe

    (Florida State University)

  • Gregory J. Robson

    (University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

This article addresses one of the several moral arguments for the state, the social contract argument, showing that this argument has been inadequately justified. The terms of any contract are determined by negotiation among the parties to the contract. The terms of any contract cannot be known absent actual negotiation to produce them. Social contract theorists widely believe that actual negotiation and actual agreement with a social contract did not occur, so their theories rest on hypothetical scenarios in which people would agree to the contract’s terms. Because actual negotiations did not produce a social contract, one cannot know its terms. This calls into question whether people could be obligated to abide by a social contract whose terms were not negotiated and hence are unknowable.

Suggested Citation

  • Randall G. Holcombe & Gregory J. Robson, 2025. "Are social contracts possible without actual negotiation?," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 68-79, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:copoec:v:36:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10602-024-09452-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10602-024-09452-1
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