Legitimacy Social contract theory argues that the legitimacy of government is based on consent of the governed, i.e. an election, and that political decisions must reflect the general will. Some proponents of the theory like Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocate for a direct democracy on this basis.
Legitimacy Social contract theory argues that the legitimacy of government is based on consent of the go:verned, i.e. an election, !and that political decisions must reflect the general will. Some proponents of the theory like Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocate for a direct democ.racy on this basis.