Since the dawn of European feudalism, many Western political theorists have debated what constitutes a thriving society. As a result, two distinctly different political theorists arose, Adam Smith and Edmund Burke. While Smith believes a thriving society binds people through contract and self-interest, Burke stipulates the opposite and proposes that a thriving society is based on obligations, feudalistic traditions, and hierarchical subordinations. However, Adam Smith's political theory is the only one that truly exemplifies how a society can thrive. Through Smith's political theory, societies can flourish by engaging in contracts promoted by self-interest and, in turn, advance the self-interest of others by promoting an individualistic mindset.

Through the use of contracts motivated by self-interest, Smith argues that both the economic gains of the individual increase, as well as the economic and political gains of the society surrounding them. When an individual is motivated by self-interest, they cultivate resources, including surplus, that they can use to facilitate an economic market. For example, the " surplus part of the produce of his own labor (...) parts the produce of other men's labour as he may have occasion for.” This creates an economic flow that elevates self-interest in markets (Wealth of Nations, Smith p. 20). As a result, Smith contends that this encourages the other members of society to "cultivate (...)  whatever talent or genius he may possess for that particular species of business( Smith p.20 )." Thus, civilization is maintained by encouraging others to develop resources to promote reciprocal commercial exchanges. This creates the opportunity for a free market to enforce the supply and demand chain that benefits economic growth. Another reason Smith defends contracts is because of the political gain we as a society can experience:" order and good government(...) the liberty and security of individuals" through the abundance of contracts ( Smith p.23). Thus, these factors exemplify why contracts are an efficient way to ensure a thriving society.

While many may defend Adam Smith’s contractual ideologies to ensure a thriving society, Edmund Burke’s obligatory approach that embraces feudalistic traditions is the only way we can ensure a politically ordered society. As a result, Burke maintains that we are bound by prejudice where” Through just prejudice, his duty becomes a part of his nature ( Reflections on the Revolution in France, Burke p.26).” Subsequently, by an individual’s duty becoming a part of their nature, it takes the need away for revolution, which creates a politically ordered society. However, the applied practice of this political view does not disable revolution but sparks the need for new political orders that promote self-interest by protecting societal interest. Thus, this proves how Smith’s political theory is better for producing a politically ordered society.

By viewing a bountiful society through the elevation of self-interest, society reflects a thriving political and economic market. Through this, contracts and the exchange of mutually beneficial goods expel this nature of individualism that benefits the individual by separating them from society. Thus, this maintains civilization because everyone in society reflects that individualistic mindset, ultimately promoting order in political and economic environments.