Review how Locke’s social contract theory answers these questions: What is the purpose of civil society (government)? Under what conditions is government legitimate? What are the limits of legitimate government power over citizens? Next consider the critics and opponents of social contract theory we have read during the weeks seven and eight of our course, the sociologist Charles Tilly, the anarchists, and the communists, Marx and Engels. Identify the strongest objection(s) (criticisms) of Locke’s views that you have found in these readings. Could Locke defend his views from these criticisms or are they decisive against Locke? What can you conclude from these readings about social contract theory?
