The term "social contract" in political philosophy refers to the theoretical agreement among individuals to form a society and establish rules governing behavior. Philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau conceptualized this idea as a means of legitimizing authority and governance. In this framework, citizens consent to surrender certain freedoms in exchange for protection and the benefit of collective order. The social contract serves as a foundational theory for modern democracy, emphasizing the legitimacy of political power and the rights of individuals. It underscores the relationship between sovereignty and individual rights within a society.