Compact Theory of State Formation

The Compact Theory of State Formation suggests that governments are formed through agreements or compacts among individuals or groups who come together for mutual benefit. This idea emphasizes that authority derives from the consent of the governed, rather than from divine rights or conquest. It implies that people collectively choose to surrender certain freedoms to a government in exchange for protection and the maintenance of order. If the government fails to uphold this agreement, the people have the right to alter or abolish it, reflecting the belief in a social contract between the state and its citizens.