Social Contract PDF by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

S oc ial Co ntrac t  First and most celebrated lines “Man is BORN free, EVERYWHERE he is in chains Thinks himself MASTER of others, But REMAINS more of a slave than they”  Rousseau & Freedom: “I never thought Man's freedom is: Being able to do whatever he wills,...

S oc ial Co ntrac t  First and most celebrated lines “Man is BORN free, EVERYWHERE he is in chains Thinks himself MASTER of others, But REMAINS more of a slave than they”  Rousseau & Freedom: “I never thought Man's freedom is: Being able to do whatever he wills, But that he should NOT, Be forced by ANY human power to do what is AGAINST his will”  Role of Politics Since return to the State of Nature is NOT possible or desirable Purpose of politics is to RESTORE man’s freedom By reconciling/reuniting his freedom With How to live with others  The only way is by a: SOCIAL CONTRACT Agreed on by ALL citizens for their Mutual Preservation It will be the SINGLE Legitimate political authority  Social Contract Regulate: 1: Relationship between individuals themselves 2: Relationship between individuals and their government  Social Contract Guarantees 1: Individual freedom 2: It will defend the LIFE and PROPERTY of each individual HOWEVER: Natural liberty is exchanged for CIVIL LIBERTY Natural rights are exchanged for LEGAL RIGHTS  How is Social Contract created? Men FREELY exchange Personal freedom for a stronger true political liberty Obey laws that are self-imposed Created by all  How can this be accomplished? Individuals enter into a CONTRACTUAL relationship Agree to exchange personal freedom For the benefits provided by Social Cooperation How does the Social contract work? It works through the medium of GENERAL WILL Volonté Générale Will of the people Collectively/Cooperatively  All humans possess a Particular Will By the Social Contract they FREELY and by MUTUAL agreement surrender This particular will to the GENERAL WILL  Individual Will is PRESERVED Not cancelled by the General Will General Will is not concerned with Private Interests General Will is ONLY concerned with PUBLIC INTEREST  TO RECAP: All men are EQUAL by nature No one has a right to govern another GENERAL WILL Is the ONLY justified authority generated by agreement BETWEEN ALL AND BY ALL  End result of this Pledge/General Will Individuals Preserve themselves REMAIN FREE HOW/WHY? Because people, collectively enact/pass laws They are ACTUALLY obeying themselves NOT obeying others In fact, laws not backed by the people are WORTHLESS When an individual CHALLENGES the laws that HE himself shared in establishing He should be restored to the obedience of the General Will By FORCE if necessary  MAN IS NOT ACTUALLY COERCED/FORCED But RETURNED to AWARENESS Of his OWN TRUE INTERESTS  Conclusion: Rousseau’s Political Model is: Direct Democracy Not representative democracy NO majority NO Minority Citizens COLLECTIVELY agree on how to live together When private interests exerts pressure on public affairs When private interest comes before common interest General Will begins to relax State Will Fall  Rousseau Concludes While conditions for true democracy are VERY difficult Social Contrast is the ONLY way to: SAVE ourselves Regain the freedom to which we are NATURALLY entitled Rousseau did NOT develop a PRACTICAL political system But gave the ESSENCE of a fair society Made people aware of their natural right TO BE FREE Specified the best way to PRESERVE THAT RIGHT  Legacy of Rousseau He introduced a new concept: CONSENT of the GOVERNED Made people AWARE of their RIGHT to chose their government He inspired generations to struggle for that Right/Consent  Rousseau Recognized: ABSOLUTE sovereignty of the PEOPLE AGAINST sovereignty of the STATE His philosophy was basic in developing principles of HUMAN RIGHTS He was the first to set the stage for NATIONALISM His Best Quote about life: Never forget, As you dream of what you Wish to gain, What you might lose