Sometimes people's misfortunes are the consequence of chance, bad luck pure and simple. Other times they are the natural consequence of choices those people have freely made. A popular position, both in political philosophy and popular political discourse, says that people should be responsible for their own welfare. 

Jobseekers Agreements are just one type of behaviour management contract. Other contemporary examples include home-school agreements, youth offender contracts, and parenting contracts. 

The new social contract aims to establish a society in which individuals can live meaningful lives. While the state enjoys the outcome of citizens’ responsible acts it has a duty to create the necessary conditions for such actions, and in so doing to close social and economic gaps between families and individuals alike.