Through the generations, civilizations have built up social contracts in trying to bring order to their society. Many theorists, such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Thomas Hobbes, have voiced their opinions of what they feel the purpose of a social contract, or government, is and how it should be run. Interestingly enough, William Golding used all three of these theorists' diverse ideas in his novel Lord of the Flies to demonstrate the building of a society.

In the first chapter of this novel, Golding uses Lockes' philosophy of social contract. Ralph and Piggy meet and find a beautiful conch, which they use to "call the others. Have a meeting" (p. 16B). Boys who were playing all over the island voluntarily come to this meeting, and in doing so give up the freedom to run wild. They continue with this contract when they "vote for chief" (p. 22M...