The concept of a "social contract" refers to an implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, such as protection and social order. Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau have shaped this theory, arguing that individuals consent, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some freedoms to a governing body in exchange for security and the protection of rights. This contract forms the foundation of legitimate governance, illustrating the relationship between citizens and the state, and it serves as a framework for evaluating political authority and legitimacy.