Magna Carta And Social Contract Theory

Although human rights have been a topic of interest through out time with many variations, there is a logical and visible correlation of the idea of basic human rights throughout time. There are multiple documents through out history that have had their ideas of basic human rights and within all of their contexts there are major correlations. Although the examples being used today of the "Magna Carta", the "English Bill of Rights", the "Spirit of Laws", and the "Social Contract Theory" come from Europe, it is seen all over the world. It all started with John Locke's and Rousseau's ideas about the "Social Contract Theory". This theory states that all individuals have basic human rights that the government can not take away or hinder. A social contract in itself is an agreement of certain undeniable beliefs and rights between the people and their government. As all contracts are there is a …show more content…
The "Magna Carta" states "FIRST, THAT WE HAVE GRANTED TO GOD,...that the English Church shall be free, and shall have its rights undiminished, and its liberties unimpaired." (Magna Carta) Just from that first section of the Magna Carta it talks about the separation of church and government and basically tells all who are listed that to have those combined is illogical and unacceptable. The Overall idea is that Royalty must be held accountable for their own doings just as the people are. Parliament then becomes an idea to balance the power of the royal family. The "English Bill of Rights", contains the same ideas in the fact that Parliament is now in place to balance the powers of the Kings and Queens. Some new add-ons that are formed in the "English Bill of Rights" is that how the subjects (common folk) now have the right to petition the king, own arms to defend themselves, and freedom of speech in debates, but only for parliament