Social contract theory provides the philosophical foundation for the obligations individuals and states have toward each other. If the state violates the contract, the citizen is still morally obligated to obey its laws.

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Social contract theory posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the state, in exchange for protection of their remaining rights. If the state fails to fulfill its part of the contract, such as by violating the rights it is supposed to protect, the theory suggests that citizens are no longer bound by the contract to obey the state's laws, as the state has breached its obligations.

Social Contract Theory Provides the Philosophical Foundation for the Obligations