What was the significance of the "social contract" idea in the thinking of John Locke?

a. Locke believed that in a "state of nature" everyone had the right to protect his or her life, liberty, and property, and the "social contract" was the means by which people agreed to form a government for the purpose of protecting these rights.

b. Locke believed that people were usually motivated by civic virtue, and the "social contract" was the general understanding virtuous people had with each other to respect each other's natural rights.

c. The "social contract" was the responsibility a government, including a monarchy, had to provide for the general welfare of the people.

d. None of the above are true, because Locke considered the idea of a mere "social contract" to be just the opposite of what was needed for strong, responsible government.