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A Constructionist Understanding of Social Contract Theory

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  • Antonio SANDU

    (Ph.D., Postdoctoral fellow financed by The Management Authority for the Sectorial Operational Program „Development of Human Resources” within the project “Postdoctoral studies in the domain of ethics in health policies” at „Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Iasi)

Abstract

The social contract is an act of establishing meaning. Power relations can be understood as semiotic relations of establishing an interpretative will. Natural state, original state in most theories of social contract, is not only a pre-politic one, but also pre-semiotic. Contractualist theories propose a model of social reality resulting from voluntary waiver of their liberty to obtain sociability. This article takes into consideration the understanding of the social contract as interpretative practice, in a constructionist manner. We understand the social contract as an interpretative pact resulting from a process generating meanings. Social constructs arising from the interpretative process are: social order, law, or, in general, normativity and power status. The article will favor analytical and historical approach, applying social constructionism as semiotic grid to recover various contractualist theories.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio SANDU, 2012. "A Constructionist Understanding of Social Contract Theory," Jurnalul de Studii Juridice, Editura Lumen, Department of Economics on Behalf of Petre Andrei University Iasi, vol. 1(3), pages 315-346, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:lum:rev4rl:v:1-2:y:2012:i:3:p:315-346
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social contract; social constructionism; interpretative proces; social order; law; normativity; power status;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A23 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Graduate

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