Exploring the Social Contract, Police Paternalism, and Governance

The social contract model is based on the idea of reciprocal rights and responsibilities between equals in society. The concept of police operating on the assumption of citizen consent being irrelevant suggests a paternalistic approach, where authorities act on behalf of citizens without their understanding or agreement, contradicting the principles of liberal societies. In liberal societies, citizens are seen as consenting members, moral agents capable of reciprocation and governed by the rule of law, not arbitrary discretion of state officials like the police. The notion of police showing a paternalistic attitude towards citizens goes against the foundational principles of political morality.