Abstract This paper discusses how, in his book, "The Social Contract", Jean-JacquesRousseau 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 discusses what Jean-JacquesRousseau'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."
Abstract An essay on Jean-JacquesRousseau, 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)."
Abstract This paper explains that, in "The Social Contract", JeanJacquesRousseau 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 The paper discusses how JeanJacquesRousseau 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 discusses how Karl Marx and JeanJacquesRousseau both used chain analogies in order to express and define the problems they believed plagued human society, but Marx primarily interpreted these problems from an economic and political perspective, while Rousseau primarily interpreted them from a social perspective. Consequently, Rousseau's statement, "We have spread garlands over the chains of our existence," differs significantly in meaning from Marx's statement, "Working men of all lands unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains!"
Abstract This paper compares the ideas of John Locke and Jean-JacquesRousseau, who were two of the seminal influences on modern conceptions of liberty. The paper attempts to ascertain which thinker had a more democratic and legitimate notion of liberty. It also discusses the history behind their theories and why they presented the ideas that they did.
From the Paper "Locke and Rousseau on the Subject of Liberty John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were two of the seminal influences on modern conceptions of liberty. This paper will compare their ideas, with a view to ascertaining which thinker had a more democratic and legitimate notion of liberty. In analysing the level of democracy in Locke's concept of liberty, it is essential to note that Locke conceived of a very limited kind of democracy. While it was democratic within its historical context, it was most certainly not what we think of as democracy today. The key reason for this is that Locke restricted democratic rights to men (not women) who owned property."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the great philosopher Jean-JacquesRousseau was one of the foremost proponents of the theory of the social contract and of ideas concerning the basic nature of human society. The writer discusses that according to Rousseau, human beings were born neither good nor evil; rather it was an individual's self-interest that determined his or her actions, actions that might be deemed either positive or negative in the eyes of others. As individuals acted naturally in their own interest, larger societies would be plagued by the conflicts that grew out of the conflicting demands of individual women and men. Rousseau proposed to solve this problem by a variant of the social contract - an ostensible agreement between the various members of society. The writer discusses that the ideas of Jean-JacquesRousseau contrasted strongly with those of other thinkers, such as John Locke, Adam Smith and Immanuel Kant, all of whom viewed humanity in far-more individualized terms.
From the Paper "Cohesion equals the application of force or compulsion. Since human beings are individuals they view any combination of individuals as merely a means to serve their own personal ends. Coercion must be used if these disparate individuals are to act for the benefit of other individuals, and for the group as a whole. What Rousseau discovered in the idea of the Social Contract was a means to preserving individual happiness within the context of the necessary group. In accepting the General Will, the individual woman or man accepts the benefits of mutual cooperation along with the restrictions that such cooperation must impose. One surrenders some privileges in exchange for the greater security provided by group action and cohesion. If people do not pool their resources in times of adversity a few may survive, or none may survive. But, if all work together, hopefully most will survive. The same goes in the event of an attack on a region."
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."
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 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)."
Abstract The paper discusses how Jean-JacquesRousseau is one of the European theorists who has been cited as an inspiration for the Founding Fathers as they wrote the U.S. Constitution and created the American form of government. The paper shows that in some ways, however, they were using what Rousseau wrote as a beginning point and then finding a governmental form to refute some of Rousseau's concerns for what representative government might become if not controlled. The paper describes how the authors of "The Federalist Papers" ( Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay) answered certain of these concerns, especially regarding concerns about factions and the effect of differences of opinion on the sovereign.
From the Paper "The Constitution that was ratified in 1787 promoted the ideal of equality, but in fact its provisions were not at first applied equally to all the people. Women could not vote, for instance, and being unable to vote means being less than a full citizen. The nation still had slaves, and they were counted as three-fifths of a person in the Constitution. More fundamentally, the Constitution was designed by and for the interests of property owners more than other citizens, and they were given more rights because they owned property. "
Abstract Jean-JacquesRousseau makes it explicitly clear in his writings in "The Social Contract and Discourses", that he believes strongly in personal freedom and autonomy. This paper examines how Rousseau believed that a truly free government is one where everyone votes and how he argues that by everyone surrendering his or her rights to the sovereign equally they maintain freedom. It also discusses how Rousseau adamantly defends his belief in autonomy in his discourses on the "State of Nature", the "Social Contract" and "Sovereignty".
From the Paper "Rousseau believes that for man to exit a State of Nature he must agree to a Social Contract. Rousseau's Social Contract in the simplest terms is, "each of us puts his person and all his power in common under the supreme direction of the general will, and in our capacity, we receive each member as indivisible part of the whole" (Rousseau. P. 192). Unfortunately, this Social Contract will require all individuals to relinquish their rights to the legislative whish is to be made up of all citizens, and raises a question about personal autonomy and freedom in Rousseau's philosophy. The Social Contract allows individuals in the State of Nature to establish a whole community."
Abstract This paper takes a look at two proponents of the French revolution, Jean-JacquesRousseau and Edmund Burke, their background, their achievements and their views on the revolution. Rousseau and Burke both supported the revolution, but for different reasons. This paper discusses their similarities and their differences.
Contents:
Rousseau Burke
Conclusions
From the Paper "According to Rousseau, society's negative effect on generally good men focuses on society's mutation of "amour de soi," a positive self-love, into "amour-propre," or pride. Rousseau argued that amour de soi generates the instinctive human desire for self-preservation, in conjunction with the uniquely human power of reason. To differentiate, amour-propre is not natural but artificial and forces man to compare himself to others, thus creating unwarranted fear and allowing men to take pleasure in the pain or weakness of others. Revolution for Rousseau, however, as an essential force to combat the negative influences of society stems from amour de soi, so it is pure in Rousseau's eyes.
In his work "Discourse on the Arts and Sciences" Rousseau touched on a different angle associated with revolution. Rousseau asserted that the arts and sciences had not been a boon at all to mankind, because both studies were advanced not in response to human needs but as the result of pride and vanity - amour proper. Also, the opportunities arts and sciences engendered for idleness and luxury led directly and continue to lead directly to the corruption of man. Rousseau wrote in "Discourse on the Arts and Sciences" that the evolution of knowledge had rendered governments increasingly powerful and had destroyed individual liberty. Rousseau determined that corporeal progress had actually undermined the possibility of sincere friendship, replacing it with jealousy, fear and suspicion - more evidence of amour proper."
Tags: Social, Contract, society, Inequality, Whig, party, A, Philosophical, Enquiry
Abstract This paper discusses the philosophies of Jean-JacquesRousseau and Karl Marx, particularly with respect to their concepts of alienation. It defines each man's conception of alienation and then discusses the respective political projects of each through the eyes of each man's conception of alienation. It discusses how their views affected the society around them.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Marx on Alienation
Rousseau on Alienation
Marx' Alienation Applied to Project
Rousseau's Alienation Applied to Project
Conclusion
From the Paper "Both Rousseau and Marx developed independent theories of alienation that were compounded into political thought that shaped history and allowed each to be active participants in political and social change. Each had a vision of the alienation of the individual by various means of either force (Marx) or choice (Rousseau) that demonstratively affected the manner in which political and social thought emerged in their various circles. Marx, at the heart of the socialist revolution became a leading figure in Russian Reform, while Rousseau's political ideologies helped grease the wheels of the French revolution, and later reform in Poland. In brief, Marx believed that the individual was alienated as product of being separated from the means of production, by the force of control of the owner. While Rousseau believed that alienation was a choice made by those who chose to live in and build a society based on his form of social contract theory. (Smith, 2006, p. 270)"
