What effect did the Mayflower Compact have on American government?

The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims, established a foundational principle of self-governance in America by creating a social contract in which settlers agreed to form a government and abide by its rules for the sake of order and survival. This early document set a precedent for future democratic governance, emphasizing the importance of consent and collective decision-making. It influenced the development of later governing documents, including state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution, by promoting ideas of majority rule and accountability to the governed.