What theory explains why individuals may surrender their freedoms in response to major threats like famine or war?

The correct answer, Crisis theory, highlights how individuals and societies may prioritize collective safety and security over personal freedoms during significant crises. This theory suggests that in times of severe threat, such as famine or war, people may be willing to accept restrictions on their liberties as a means of ensuring survival or stability. The urgency of the situation creates an environment in which individuals may see the necessity of cooperating with authorities or relinquishing certain rights to address the pressing challenges they face.

Crisis theory is grounded in an understanding of human behavior under stress, emphasizing that fear and insecurity can lead to a collective mindset where the immediate need for safety overshadows the desire for individual freedom. This perspective is vital in analyzing historical and contemporary situations where governments have enacted emergency measures that limit personal freedoms in the name of public safety.

The other options represent different philosophical frameworks that do not specifically focus on the context of surrendering freedoms in response to crises. Social contract theory discusses the implicit agreements among individuals and their governments but does not directly address the urgency of crisis situations. Classical liberalism advocates for individual freedoms and limited government intervention, making it less applicable when individuals are confronted with existential threats. Utilitarianism emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number but does not explicitly correlate with the surrender of