Abstract
This paper discusses how, in his book, "The Social Contract", Jean-Jacques Rousseau explains the relationship of the individual to society. The paper relates that Rousseau emphasizes the natural law of personal rights and sovereignty and argues that any government derives its legitimate power only from the collective choice of many individuals to allow government to act as a proxy for their personal exercise of those rights directly. The paper also examines how, for similar reasons, Rousseau opposed the concept of "rightful" ownership of slaves, especially those who did not choose to become slaves. Finally, the paper discusses how Rousseau questions the legitimacy of some forms of democratic.

Outline:
Introduction
Rousseau on the Origin of Legitimate Power
Rousseau on Political Representation, Democracy, Law, and the Need for Legislators
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to Rousseau, legitimate governmental authority can only come from the voluntary will of many people, and those forms of governmental authority that derive their power elsewhere are fundamentally illegitimate. Rousseau acknowledges that allowing the collective will to establish rules that govern individual conduct might be a form of relinquishment of individual rights. He takes the position that this apparent contradiction is resolved by the fact that it is in the interest of every individual to give the power of social policy and rule enforcement to the government, because without some form of collective power, the individual cannot enforce any legitimate social concerns at all. Finally, Rousseau questions the legitimacy of some forms of democratic representation and suggests that affiliation or allegiance to sub-groups or representative political parties cancels out some of the main benefits of the principle of individual expression in political choice."

Tags:rights, ownership, slavery, society, government, power

Abstract
This paper explains that, although the moral, inferred from Jean-Jacques Rousseau's novel "La Nouvelle Heloise", is not necessarily negative or dangerous, the themes that Rousseau exploits can be seen to present a moral danger. If read as an advocacy of relationships outside marriage, which give into passion, disregard class divisions, refuse conventions and ignore parental authority, the author believes that this novel can be seen as being morally dangerous. However, if the reader looks at the aspect of virtue, the paper concludes that "La Nouvelle Heloise" also can be considered morally uplifting just as Rousseau believed. The paper contains several quotations in French.

From the Paper
"The danger becomes further evident when ultimately, Julie and Saint-Preux's affair could be said to have caused the death of Julie's mother. Julie's mother falls ill and dies after she discovers the letters between Julie and Saint-Preux (who is now in Paris), which suggests that the correspondence and the shock was likely to have caused the death. Julie feels guilty and coupable, as though it is her actions that are to blame for the death - namely giving in to passion and ignoring her father's authority, and this guilt is a heavy burden - "je ne vois plus que ma honte; ma vie n'est plus que peine et douleur"."

Tags:affairs, class differences, passion, father's authority, virtue

Abstract
This paper discusses what Jean-Jacques Rousseau's real philosophical identity is. The paper examines Rousseau's theories. It defines classic realism, traditional liberalism and critical theory. The paper questions whether Rousseau's views follow those of classic realism or whether they are written in the critical theory genre. It also explores whether Rousseau is a liberal in the traditional sense and whether his views follow that thread throughout his extensive works.

From the Paper
"Rousseau's theories in this assigned essay are somewhat conflicting from time to time, but it is clear his views can safely be placed in the genre of liberalism. He steps "out of the lecture room" and sees "wretched nations groaning beneath of yoke of iron." Mankind is "ground down by a handful of oppressors." That last quote certainly shows Rousseau's great concern for the less fortunate and the politically powerless citizens; and when he says "ground down by a handful of oppressors" readers can easily see those oppressors are not governing with the consent of the governed."

Tags:philosophy, realism, liberalism

Abstract
The paper discusses how Jean Jacques Rousseau was essentially against any social order that curtailed personal freedom or natural liberty. The paper explains his beliefs of allowing the public to choose the person who would implement laws while the system would work on the principle of general will. The paper relates that Rousseau's social contract theory shaped modern political thought and is still commonly cited when democracy and rights are discussed.

From the Paper
"Political upheaval in the 19th century France was caused as much by political discourse as by active insurgence. Jean Jacques Rousseau's theory of social contract or rather his rejection of the same occupied an important place in the political discourse of the time. It was not starkly different than previously held beliefs but definitely encompassed some original concepts including the idea of general will and the elusive lawgiver. Rousseau's rejection of social contract was grounded in the premise that by contracting with a man or assembly of men, individuals are forced to part with some of their natural liberty. In other words while he knew that freedom was compromised to an extent with social contracts were entered into, he maintained that the relinquished freedom should be social freedom and not natural freedom."

Tags:freedom, liberty, sovereign, democracy, general, will

Abstract
This paper explains that, in "The Social Contract", Jean Jacques Rousseau clarifies the idea of the social contract and the way the state should work together with its subjects to create a perfect and peaceful society. The author points out that Rousseau's opening statement that "Man is born free" is intriguing because, according to the rest of the section, this statement is not true; a child is obliged to be in bondage to its parents until it can leave the home on its own. The paper contends that, until lessons from the past can be recognized, books like "The Social Contract" will have academic value only; practical applicability is entirely dependent upon the human ability to recognize lessons, to adjust, and to evolve accordingly.

From the Paper
"Rousseau makes a strong argument in his first book when he states, "One thinks himself the master of others, and still remains a greater slave than they". (Book I; ch.i). This is applicable to current society, which is more often than not subject to some or other less than laudable human trait such as greed or addiction. People are slaves to money, drugs, success or any other of a maze of possible enslavements. This was also true in Rousseau's time, and he recognized that human beings are in bondage since birth."

Tags:applicability, bondage, slavery, sovereignty, government

Abstract
An essay on Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which discusses his works, "The Social Contract" and "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality." It shows how Rousseau's doctrine had a profound impact on French revolutionary thought, as well as socialist thought. Moreover, many believe he anticipated, rather than influenced, many insights of modern social psychology.

From the Paper
Jean-Jacques Rousseau lived from 1712-1778 during the height of the French Enlightenment. In 1762, he wrote "The Social Contract" examining many of the difficulties concerning freedom and authority to determine how freedom might be possible in civil society. He believed that in the state of nature humans enjoy the physical freedom of having no restraints on behavior (Rousseau). However, by entering into the social contract, humans place restraints on behavior, thus making it possible to live in a community. Rousseau contends that by giving up physical freedom mankind gained the civil freedom of being able to think rationally, although, as humans were good in a state of nature, corruption must thus be born from civilization. Rousseau sought to harmonize one's individual need for expression with society's need to ensure the well-being of community life (Rousseau)."

Tags:social, psychology, community, contract, discourse, origine, inequality

Abstract
This paper examines three concepts in the political philosophy of Rousseau. Firstly, the concept of the state of nature and inequality according to Rousseau is discussed. Secondly, the paper looks at the transition to the civil state and lastly, it discusses the notion of Rousseau's proposed government. The paper further demonstrates how these three parts are the main components of Rousseau's thoughts on what we may call modern or modernity.

Outline:
Introduction
State of Nature and Inequality
Towards the Civil State
Government
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The government for Rousseau must be proportionally stronger than the people; therefore, it must not be very strong and neither very weak in its relation to the people. It must be just proportionally strong. The basis of the size of the state is one of his main principles in classifying the governments, since "the number of the supreme magistrates should be in inverse ratio to that of the citizens, it follows that in general, democratic government is suitable to small states, aristocracy to those of moderate size, and monarchy to large ones"(Social Contract, Book III, p. 58) therefore, the perfect type of government need not be a conformity to a single notion of a perfect government, because "all governments are not of the same nature" (Social Contract, Book III, p. 72). There could be a different and unique type of government suited for a particular state. Thus, not only may different governments be good for different peoples, but for the same people at different times. (Social Contract, Book III, p. 51) and each of his described governments is the best in certain areas, and worst in others (Social Contract, Book III, p. 58)."

Tags:Government, State, Nature, Inequality

Abstract
This paper deals with the themes, concepts and approaches of Rousseau which distinguish him as a modern political thinker. It is divided in three parts: the first, dealing with Rousseau's conceptualization of the state; the second, dealing about his conceptualization of man and the third deals with his approach in formulating his assumptions. All of the above are discussed and compared with classical and medieval conceptualizations to form the sense of modernity found in Rousseau's works.

Outline:
Introduction
A New Concern for the Origin of the State and Inequality
The Savage Man of Rousseau
The Approach of the Heart
Conclusion

From the Paper
"One theme of discussion initiated by modern political philosophers is that of the inquiry in the origin of the state. Rousseau himself was one of them who made such an inquiry. He thought of a social contract aiming to explain how the state came about. The Social Contract formulated by Rousseau is grounded on an individual's own will. It is divided into four books, the first of which addresses the questions of the nature of political society, the second of those of the nature of sovereignty, the third the institutions of the government, and the fourth, extraordinary structures designed to keep the government from being corrupted (Strong, 1994, p. 79). It is not surprising to find liberty as the focal point of his arguments, for if you look into his life, you'll see that he himself had a phobia against any kind of restraint or authority (Neill, 1949, p. 167). He also argued that civil societies came into existence as individuals pledged themselves to live together as members of a single political community."

Tags:Social, Contract, Noble, Savage, Origin, State

Abstract
This paper examines the political and social concepts that Rousseau wrote about in his famous work, "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men ". The paper looks at how Rousseau's writings may have helped bring about the French Revolution, the American Revolution, and even the modern feminist movement. The paper also discusses how much of Rousseau's writings continue to have relevance and influence on society today and draws comparisons between John Locke's writings and Rousseau's writings.

From the Paper
"It is ironic that the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau can be considered feminist in nature; Marie Antoinette was tried for treason and guillotined four years after the French Revolution erupted, becoming perhaps the most famous woman of the "old order" in history. She had been guilty of the excesses of the French Court at the time of the French Revolution, even though historians note that she had tried, in the final years of her husband's reign, to mend her extravagant ways and appear more often as a doting mother, simply dressed and coiffed."

Tags:private, property, inequality, social, problems, rights, ownership, feudal, versailles, king

Abstract
This paper discusses the instances of paradox, how paradox arises, what role it plays and why it exists in the political thought of Rousseau. In order to do this, the paper begins by examining paradox in "Du Contrat Social" (1762), with reference to Discours sur les origines et fondements de l'Inegalite (1755). The paper then turns to the article on economie politique (1755), "Projet de Constitution pour la Corse" (1765) and "Considerations sur le Gouvernement de Pologne" (1772). The paper concludes that a comparison between the practical and theoretical writings of Rousseau allows us to explore the differences between them, which then reveals other paradoxes that need to be addressed.

From the Paper
"Rousseau introduces two necessities to attempt to resolve this paradox - enlightenment and education of the people, and ability to make free decisions without influence of social groups. Foreseeable emergence of social groups will cause groups of individuals to refuse to recognise the general will, resulting in inequality. Moral education and physical limitations of wealth are therefore necessary. Althusser refers to these two principles as 'flight forward in ideology' and 'regression in reality/economy' . An ideological approach can restore the particular will to act in favour of the community by teaching morality and conscience, in order to denature primitive impulses and transform personal desire into man's 'realization of himself as a rational and moral being who is fulfilling all the higher possibilities of his nature.' This principal allows Rousseau to introduce the Legislator to act as an enlightened leader who ultimately overrides human nature - 'Celui qui ose entreprendre d'instituer un peuple doit se sentir en etat de changer... la nature humaine'. The Legislator must also not be prone to the same pitfalls as the public and he must not mislead them. "

Tags:Social, Contract, morals