Rights and Responsibilities in the Light of Social Contract Theory

Abstract

An understanding of the Social Contract and the degree to which its rationale has been woven thmughout instruments of American gov ernment may be helpful to administrators and others involved in pub lic education. Such an understanding provides both school authorities and those who interact with them a similar rationale for legal obliga tions and limitations placed on their relationship. This may aid in the reduction of needless controversy between these groups.Michael W. La Morte is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Administration, College of Education, University of Georgia.1. See G. H. Gallup, "Eighth Annual Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan (October 1976): 187-200.2. For further study in this area, see such standard expositions of Social Contract Theory as: E. Barker, ed., Social Contract (London: Oxford University Press, 1956); P. Laslett, ed., Two Treatises of Government (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1960); G. H. Sabine...