Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States

Hafiz Abdul Hamid Salifu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15

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Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States

Hafiz Abdul Hamid Salifu^*

Published in Science Futures (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Received: 30 June 2025 Accepted: 15 July 2025 Published: 9 December 2025

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Abstract

The social contract theory, as articulated by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, establishes a foundational agreement between citizens and their government, wherein the state assumes responsibility for ensuring safety, equity, and welfare in exchange for collective compliance. However, contemporary socio-economic inequalities exacerbated by globalization, technological disruption, and systemic disparities—reveal significant gaps in this theoretical framework. This study employs a qualitative comparative methodology, utilizing the Most Different Systems Design (MDSD) to analyze UBI implementations across diverse political and economic contexts, including Finland, Kenya, and Alaska. Findings from these case studies demonstrate that UBI serves as a transformative policy tool, effectively reducing poverty, improving mental health, and fostering economic participation. Empirical evidence reveals that unconditional cash transfers enhance well-being and social stability without discouraging employment. The research further highlights the critical role of global governance institutions, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, in facilitating UBI’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite political and logistical challenges, integrating UBI into governance systems presents a viable pathway to modernize the social contract and address 21st-century inequalities. This study underscores UBI’s potential as a catalyst for systemic change, advocating for innovative, collaborative policy approaches to achieve equitable socio-economic outcomes.

Published in	Science Futures (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15
Page(s)	39-52
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Universal Basic Income, Social Contract Theory, Global Governance Institutions, Inequality, Government

References

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Salifu, H. A. H. (2025). Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States. Science Futures, 1(1), 39-52. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15

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Salifu, H. A. H. Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States. Sci. Futures 2025, 1(1), 39-52. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15

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Salifu HAH. Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States. Sci Futures. 2025;1(1):39-52. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15

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@article{10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15,
  author = {Hafiz Abdul Hamid Salifu},
  title = {Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States},
  journal = {Science Futures},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {39-52},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scif.20250101.15},
  abstract = {The social contract theory, as articulated by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, establishes a foundational agreement between citizens and their government, wherein the state assumes responsibility for ensuring safety, equity, and welfare in exchange for collective compliance. However, contemporary socio-economic inequalities exacerbated by globalization, technological disruption, and systemic disparities—reveal significant gaps in this theoretical framework. This study employs a qualitative comparative methodology, utilizing the Most Different Systems Design (MDSD) to analyze UBI implementations across diverse political and economic contexts, including Finland, Kenya, and Alaska. Findings from these case studies demonstrate that UBI serves as a transformative policy tool, effectively reducing poverty, improving mental health, and fostering economic participation. Empirical evidence reveals that unconditional cash transfers enhance well-being and social stability without discouraging employment. The research further highlights the critical role of global governance institutions, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, in facilitating UBI’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite political and logistical challenges, integrating UBI into governance systems presents a viable pathway to modernize the social contract and address 21st-century inequalities. This study underscores UBI’s potential as a catalyst for systemic change, advocating for innovative, collaborative policy approaches to achieve equitable socio-economic outcomes.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States
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Y1  - 2025/12/09
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VL  - 1
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Hafiz Abdul Hamid Salifu

Department of History, Political Science and Public Administration, Kumasi, Ghana

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http://orcid.org/0009-0001-4123-6840

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Salifu, H. A. H. (2025). Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States. Science Futures, 1(1), 39-52. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15

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Salifu, H. A. H. Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States. Sci. Futures 2025, 1(1), 39-52. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15

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Salifu HAH. Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States. Sci Futures. 2025;1(1):39-52. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15

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@article{10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15,
  author = {Hafiz Abdul Hamid Salifu},
  title = {Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States},
  journal = {Science Futures},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {39-52},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scif.20250101.15},
  abstract = {The social contract theory, as articulated by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, establishes a foundational agreement between citizens and their government, wherein the state assumes responsibility for ensuring safety, equity, and welfare in exchange for collective compliance. However, contemporary socio-economic inequalities exacerbated by globalization, technological disruption, and systemic disparities—reveal significant gaps in this theoretical framework. This study employs a qualitative comparative methodology, utilizing the Most Different Systems Design (MDSD) to analyze UBI implementations across diverse political and economic contexts, including Finland, Kenya, and Alaska. Findings from these case studies demonstrate that UBI serves as a transformative policy tool, effectively reducing poverty, improving mental health, and fostering economic participation. Empirical evidence reveals that unconditional cash transfers enhance well-being and social stability without discouraging employment. The research further highlights the critical role of global governance institutions, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, in facilitating UBI’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite political and logistical challenges, integrating UBI into governance systems presents a viable pathway to modernize the social contract and address 21st-century inequalities. This study underscores UBI’s potential as a catalyst for systemic change, advocating for innovative, collaborative policy approaches to achieve equitable socio-economic outcomes.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Reconstructing the Social Contract Theory: Inculcating Ubi as the Antidote to Socio-Economic Inequality Among States
AU  - Hafiz Abdul Hamid Salifu
Y1  - 2025/12/09
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15
T2  - Science Futures
JF  - Science Futures
JO  - Science Futures
SP  - 39
EP  - 52
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20250101.15
AB  - The social contract theory, as articulated by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, establishes a foundational agreement between citizens and their government, wherein the state assumes responsibility for ensuring safety, equity, and welfare in exchange for collective compliance. However, contemporary socio-economic inequalities exacerbated by globalization, technological disruption, and systemic disparities—reveal significant gaps in this theoretical framework. This study employs a qualitative comparative methodology, utilizing the Most Different Systems Design (MDSD) to analyze UBI implementations across diverse political and economic contexts, including Finland, Kenya, and Alaska. Findings from these case studies demonstrate that UBI serves as a transformative policy tool, effectively reducing poverty, improving mental health, and fostering economic participation. Empirical evidence reveals that unconditional cash transfers enhance well-being and social stability without discouraging employment. The research further highlights the critical role of global governance institutions, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, in facilitating UBI’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite political and logistical challenges, integrating UBI into governance systems presents a viable pathway to modernize the social contract and address 21st-century inequalities. This study underscores UBI’s potential as a catalyst for systemic change, advocating for innovative, collaborative policy approaches to achieve equitable socio-economic outcomes.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download