How did John Locke explain the social contract between people and government?

In his Two Treatises of Government, John Locke explains the social contract as a voluntary agreement among individuals to transition from a "state of nature" to a civil society.12

Unlike a state of total license, Locke’s state of nature is governed by the law of nature, which obligates individuals to respect the life, liberty, and property of others. However, because individuals acting as their own judges can lead to injustice and violence, they consent to form a government to serve as an impartial authority for arbitrating disputes and protecting these natural rights.12

Key features of Locke's social contract include:
* Conditional Obligation: The legitimacy of government depends on its ability to protect the natural rights of its citizens.23
* Consent: Political authority is only valid when based on the consent of the governed.2
* Majority Rule: Once a society is formed, the majority holds the power to make decisions, typically through a legislature.23
* Right to Revolution: If a government violates the natural law or fails to protect citizens' rights, the people are justified in removing that authority, even by force.3