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Introduced the idea of a social contract as a way of explaining the necessity of political authority; Argued for a sovereign power to ensure peace and prevent the state of nature, which he described as solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

Distinguished between the state of nature and civil society; Argued that the social contract was intended to protect natural rights, including life, liberty, and property; Advocated for a separation of powers within government.

Suggested that the social contract was an agreement to form a community and collective identity; Argued for the concept of the 'general will' and popular sovereignty; Believed that property rights resulted in social inequality.

Focused on moral philosophy, stating that rational beings would enter a social contract based on moral laws; Argued for an ethical commonwealth and universal law of freedom; Introduced the concept of the categorical imperative.

Criticized social contract theory, stating that governments arise naturally and not always by consent; Emphasized the practical necessity of government for social order; Introduced the concept of 'convention' instead of contract.

Did not formulate a social contract theory but influenced the conceptualization of checks and balances in government; His work 'The Spirit of the Laws' helped shape constitutional government; Advocated for a separation of political power.

Proposed a modern interpretation of the social contract in his theory of 'justice as fairness'; Utilized the 'original position' and the 'veil of ignorance' as a way of determining justice; Argued for two principles of justice to structure society.

Advocated for the common good and argued that society was a blessing but government a necessary evil; Believed that rights are inherent and not granted by governments; Wrote in support of American independence.

Advocated for the separation of powers within government; Emphasized that different forms of government are influenced by various factors, including climate and population size; Influenced modern constitutionalism.

Regarded as a founder of international law; Argued that natural law existed independently of divine will or authority; Emphasized a moral basis for contracts and the importance of keeping agreements.

Elaborated on natural law and its implications for the social contract; Argued that humans are inherently social and that society and government were natural developments; Emphasized duties as well as rights.

Promoted natural law as a basis for the social contract; Argued that the general will must align with natural law to be legitimate; Supported the idea that government should promote public well-being.

Criticized traditional social contract theory from a feminist perspective; Introduced the concept of the sexual contract to demonstrate how gender relations are structured; Argued that the original social contract was a patriarchal construct.

Known for his promotion of universal basic income based on a social justice framework; Broadened the discussion of freedom in the context of the social contract; Argues for a real-libertarian approach to distributive justice.