Which Enlightenment philosopher emphasized the importance of social contracts in establishing political legitimacy?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau emphasized the importance of social contracts in establishing political legitimacy through his influential work, "The Social Contract." In this work, Rousseau argues that legitimate political authority comes from a social contract agreed upon by the individuals in a society. He posits that individuals collectively agree to form a society and submit to the general will, which reflects the common good. This idea highlights the belief that political legitimacy is derived from the consent of the governed rather than through divine right or coercion.

Moreover, Rousseau's conception of the social contract aims to promote equality and freedom among citizens, establishing a foundation for democratic governance. He believes that through this contract, individuals gain rights and can expect their government to act in their best interests. This perspective significantly influenced modern political philosophy, particularly ideas about democracy and citizenship.

In contrast, other philosophers like Montesquieu focused more on the separation of powers in government, John Locke discussed natural rights and the right to overthrow a government that fails to protect those rights, and Thomas Hobbes emphasized a strong central authority to prevent chaos. While all these ideas are crucial to political theory, it is Rousseau’s detailed argument for the social contract's role in political legitimacy that is particularly noteworthy.