[tensor_rank_0]

> the sovereign can do whatever is necessary to keep the peace. In exchange, the individual agrees to go along with everything except the loss of their own life.

wow, how widely is this belief held? is there a name for it?

[brudgers]

The Social Contract is an idea originating in the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbs. Leviathan in particular. Leviathan is in the public domain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan_(Hobbes_book)#Extern...

[tensor_rank_0]

I took a quick glance, many of Hobbes' principle values do not seem to be widely held today.

[dragonwriter]

It's the Hobbesian view of the social contract, which is often contrasted with the Lockean view of the same subject which underpins both the US system in particular and arguably Western liberal democracy more generally.

It's not a particularly popular model, even though it was influential in developing views that remain popular today.