Hobbes, (1588-1679) in England and Rousseau (1712 - 1778) in Geneva were the two major theorists proposing that authority is the outcome of a social agreement or contract.

Both envisioned man, before becoming civilized, in a state of nature where he lived without government, laws or manners. Everyone had equal rights to take what he wanted and if strong enough to hold on to it. This meant that the state of nature was a constant state of warfare. Eventually desiring peace they surrendered their natural independence to someone to lead them.

Russeau maintained that the agreement was only among themselves. The appointed ruler had no superiority of status but only of contract which the people could terminate at any time for whatever reason. There was no contract between the people and the prince. The prince is merely the tenant of the people's will. Rosseau thought became the handbook for the French Revolution.

In 1881 Pope Leo XIII published an Encyclical Diuturnum - On the Origin of the Civil Power reaffirming the truth that civil ruling power comes from God. He thus clarifies this teaching,

"For the authority of the rulers of a State, if it be a certain communication of divine power, will by that very reason immediately acquire a dignity greater than human -- not, indeed, that impious and most absurd dignity sometimes desired by heathen emperors when affecting divine honors, but a true and solid one received by a certain divine gift and benefaction. When it will behoove citizens to submit themselves and to be obedient to rulers, as to God, ...."

Democratic Rule