Which Enlightenment idea posits that government was created as an agreement between social groups?

The idea that government was created as an agreement between social groups is encapsulated in social contract theory. This theory suggests that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a government and abide by its rules, in exchange for protection of their rights and maintenance of social order. Key philosophers associated with this theory, such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, articulated various versions of the social contract, emphasizing that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed.

Social contract theory laid the groundwork for modern democratic principles, by arguing that authority stems from the agreement among the people rather than from divine right or hereditary rule. This concept was revolutionary in asserting that the legitimacy of a state comes from the collective will of its people, reflecting their needs and desires rather than imposed power. In contrast to the other choices, such as divine right theory, which asserts that rulers derive authority directly from God, social contract theory specifically emphasizes the mutual agreement of individuals to create governance structures for societal benefit.