The idea of the social contract is that a government is only legitimate if it has

a
limited rights for the governed
b
restrictions on democracy
c
consent of the governed
d
indirect democracy

The idea of the social contract is that a government is only legitimate if it has c. consent of the governed

According to Thomas Hobbes, the first English philosopher who widely developed the idea, the social contract is an agreement between the ruled and their rulers, in which all individuals in society give consent to be ruled by an absolute government and cede their natural rights. In Hobbe's opinion, a social contract was necessary so people could live better, maintain peace, receive protection and avoid conflict by the establishment of civil society.

c holding free elections