Jean Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau
French political philosopher, lived in the eighteenth century.
Stature of Nature:
-it was peaceful, pleasant, idyllic.
-there was supreme bliss.
-there was state of perfect equality and freedom.
-there was no law, no institution.
-overall, the state of nature was very good by nature.
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Human Nature:
-man in the state of nature was innocent,
-man was living a carefree life, independent.
-they were contented, they were self sufficient.
-men had no desire and needs.
-man had no competition, no jealousy.
-noble savage
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Social contract:
-men in the state of nature were leading a blissful life. But this happy life
could not sustain for long.
Reasons:
1. growth of population.
2. invention of technologies and dawn of reason.
-with the population increase, the institution of family emerged and the
idea of private property came into exist.
-with the idea of property, men started thinking in terms of mine and thine.
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-with the invention of techniques in agriculture and metals, men started
amassing lands and goods for themselves.
-individuals became so selfish and greedy.
-they started gathering their own properties as much as possible.
-the gap between the rich and poor became wider.
-With reason, men lost his pristine innocence.
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-then there were lots of quarrels and fights among them.
-it became intolerable.
-Men had decided to end that intolerable state of nature.
-They had decided to form an association or civil society to protect all.
-Thus, they entered into a social contract.
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Nature of the social contract-
-it was a social contract among individuals.
-it was a social contract for all.
-everyone surrenders their rights to the whole community.
-nobody surrenders his rights to outside authority.
-thus, the community becomes the sovereign.
-for Rousseau, the community is the sovereign.
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General Will-
-Rousseau argues that the sovereign is manifested in the form of the
General Will.
-general will is the combination of the all the real wills of the individuals
which aims at the welfare of all.
-general will is the voice of all for the good of all.
-general will is not based on the self-interest of the individuals.
-general will is arrived through voting and majority opinion will prevail.
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For Rousseau, sovereign can form a government.
The government is not the part of the contract.
The government is designated to carry the will of the sovereign.
The government does not make laws. It is the sovereign that makes laws.
The government only functions according to the instructions of the
sovereign.
This means government is just an agent of the people.
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Nature of the sovereign-
1. the sovereign is absolute. It has all the powers of making laws and orders.
2. the sovereign is unrepresentative. The sovereign cannot be represented.
The sovereign is direct.
3. The sovereign is not divisible. The sovereign cannot be divided. If divided,
it ceases to exist.
4. It is the popular sovereignty. People are the sovereign.
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Formation of the state-
-overall, what Rousseau argues is that man led a happy and innocent life in
the state of nature.
-but the increase of population and invention of technology in the field of
agriculture and metallurgy, man became selfish and greedy.
-man started gathering their property as much as possible.
-then there was competition and fight among themselves.
-it became so intolerable that people had decided to end the state of nature.
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-they all formed a social contract among themselves.
-the result is that the entire community becomes the sovereign.
-the people are the sovereign themselves.
-the formation of sovereign marks the formation of the state.
-for Rousseau, the people represents the state.
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Criticisms-
1. General will is vague-
Rousseau’s idea of general will is abstract. It is difficult to locate general will
in real sense.
2. State of nature not always blissful. Rousseau presents a rosy picture of
state of nature. It must be a mixed of all kinds.
3. Rousseau idea of sovereignty is not practicable in the larger state. It is
possible in a small state.
