Popular agreement making gathering shrink (6,8)
I believe the answer is:
social contract
'popular agreement' is the definition.
'social contract' can be an answer for 'agreement' (social contract is a kind of agreement). I'm not certain of the 'popular' bit.
'gathering shrink' is the wordplay.
'gathering' becomes 'social' (social is a kind of gathering).
'shrink' becomes 'contract' (contracting is a kind of shrinking).
'social'+'contract'='SOCIAL CONTRACT'
'making' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for social contract that I've seen before include "Arrangements for living together" , "System of human life" , "agreement for the benefit of all?" .)