What ideas did the contract theory contribute to the development of the American system of government?

Contract theory significantly influenced the development of the American system of government by emphasizing the idea that legitimacy stems from the consent of the governed. Philosophers like john Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that individuals form governments to protect their natural rights, leading to the foundational principle of popular sovereignty. This notion underpinned the creation of the Constitution, establishing a framework for a government accountable to its citizens. Ultimately, contract theory reinforced the concepts of individual rights and the rule of law within the American political system.