Rousseau maintains that the state forms by means of a mutually-agreed-upon social contract. Once all the members of the state enter into that contract, they have to abide by its rules. So if I enter into the social contract with you, but I decide that I want to eat some tomatoes planted in your garden, to pursue my own self-interest, I might go steal your tomatoes. But it's not in the interest of the commonwealth that anyone steal from anyone else--so I'm pursuing my own interest at the expense of the common good (as well as at the expense of yours). I am forced to obey the rules of the commonwealth, because I agreed to the terms when I signed up. Rousseau's notion of personal liberty is not that everyone be free to do what he or she wants, but that everyone be free in the sense of *secure*.
So, I, the tomato thief, am "forced" to obey the rules of the commonwealth, which includes not stealing from you. In return, I live in the security provided by that commonwealth, which is the ultimate form of freedom, according to Rousseau.
Quoted from Elizabeth
Rousseau believed that a government freely formed by the people is far superior to one imposed by force. He argued that legitimate political authority arises from the collective will of the populace, which he termed the "general will." This social contract allows individuals to achieve true freedom and equality, as opposed to a government that relies on coercion, which undermines individual rights and fosters inequality. In Rousseau's view, only a government founded on the consent of the governed can ensure justice and the common good.
Rousseau believed that a government freely formed by the people was far superior to one imposed by force. He argued that legitimate political authority arises from the collective will of the citizens, reflecting their general will and promoting the common good. In contrast, a government imposed by force undermines individual freedom and social cohesion, leading to oppression and conflict. For Rousseau, true democracy and civic engagement were essential for the development of a just and equitable society.
Rousseau believed that a government freely formed by the people, based on the social contract, was superior to one imposed by force. He argued that legitimate political authority arises from the collective will of the citizenry, which fosters true freedom and equality. In contrast, a government imposed by force undermines individual rights and the common good, leading to oppression and social discord. Ultimately, Rousseau championed the idea that genuine governance should reflect the general will and promote the welfare of all citizens.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed in the concept of the "social contract," which posits that legitimate political authority arises from a collective agreement among individuals to form a society. He argued that government should reflect the general will of the people, prioritizing the common good over individual interests. Rousseau emphasized that true freedom is achieved through participation in democratic governance, where citizens actively engage in shaping laws and policies. His ideas laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought and influenced revolutionary movements.
have somthing in common despite having individual differences
Rousseau maintains that the state forms by means of a mutually-agreed-upon social contract. Once all the members of the state enter into that contract, they have to abide by its rules. So if I enter into the social contract with you, but I decide that I want to eat some tomatoes planted in your garden, to pursue my own self-interest, I might go steal your tomatoes. But it's not in the interest of the commonwealth that anyone steal from anyone else--so I'm pursuing my own interest at the expense of the common good (as well as at the expense of yours). I am forced to obey the rules of the commonwealth, because I agreed to the terms when I signed up. Rousseau's notion of personal liberty is not that everyone be free to do what he or she wants, but that everyone be free in the sense of *secure*. So, I, the tomato thief, am "forced" to obey the rules of the commonwealth, which includes not stealing from you. In return, I live in the security provided by that commonwealth, which is the ultimate form of freedom, according to Rousseau. Quoted from Elizabeth
Rousseau maintains that the state forms by means of a mutually-agreed-upon social contract. Once all the members of the state enter into that contract, they have to abide by its rules. So if I enter into the social contract with you, but I decide that I want to eat some tomatoes planted in your garden, to pursue my own self-interest, I might go steal your tomatoes. But it's not in the interest of the commonwealth that anyone steal from anyone else--so I'm pursuing my own interest at the expense of the common good (as well as at the expense of yours). I am forced to obey the rules of the commonwealth, because I agreed to the terms when I signed up. Rousseau's notion of personal liberty is not that everyone be free to do what he or she wants, but that everyone be free in the sense of *secure*. So, I, the tomato thief, am "forced" to obey the rules of the commonwealth, which includes not stealing from you. In return, I live in the security provided by that commonwealth, which is the ultimate form of freedom, according to Rousseau. Quoted from Elizabeth
Rousseau maintains that the state forms by means of a mutually-agreed-upon social contract. Once all the members of the state enter into that contract, they have to abide by its rules. So if I enter into the social contract with you, but I decide that I want to eat some tomatoes planted in your garden, to pursue my own self-interest, I might go steal your tomatoes. But it's not in the interest of the commonwealth that anyone steal from anyone else--so I'm pursuing my own interest at the expense of the common good (as well as at the expense of yours). I am forced to obey the rules of the commonwealth, because I agreed to the terms when I signed up. Rousseau's notion of personal liberty is not that everyone be free to do what he or she wants, but that everyone be free in the sense of *secure*. So, I, the tomato thief, am "forced" to obey the rules of the commonwealth, which includes not stealing from you. In return, I live in the security provided by that commonwealth, which is the ultimate form of freedom, according to Rousseau. Quoted from Elizabeth
Rousseau maintains that the state forms by means of a mutually-agreed-upon social contract. Once all the members of the state enter into that contract, they have to abide by its rules. So if I enter into the social contract with you, but I decide that I want to eat some tomatoes planted in your garden, to pursue my own self-interest, I might go steal your tomatoes. But it's not in the interest of the commonwealth that anyone steal from anyone else--so I'm pursuing my own interest at the expense of the common good (as well as at the expense of yours). I am forced to obey the rules of the commonwealth, because I agreed to the terms when I signed up. Rousseau's notion of personal liberty is not that everyone be free to do what he or she wants, but that everyone be free in the sense of *secure*. So, I, the tomato thief, am "forced" to obey the rules of the commonwealth, which includes not stealing from you. In return, I live in the security provided by that commonwealth, which is the ultimate form of freedom, according to Rousseau. Quoted from Elizabeth
There has to be both a consideration for the common good and individual rights. To have a government meet the needs of all citizens it must consider the common good of the society. To only address individual needs would mean that some citizens are left out of the political process.
Rousseau believed that society's controls on its people should be minimal, focusing on the common good and the general will. He argued that individuals should be free to act in accordance with the general will to maintain a just and harmonious society. Rousseau emphasized the importance of equality, individual freedom, and the social contract in shaping a fair and just society.
Rousseau thought society was greater than the individual. Through the individual's involvement in society, one could succeed. He believed that humans were rational (like Locke) and believed in a state of nature. Now, a state of nature is the imaginative idea of a world without government. We would still have a modern society but not an government. With that in mind, Rousseau believed human beings would be rational and run society for the greater good if a state of nature existed.Also, Rousseau also criticized Hobbes often for his idea that humans were naturally greedy people, and that Hobbes' idea could not be rationally used in the state of nature.
Rosseeau asserts the idea of people's general will to be the governing body of the state. The collective body rules in the common interest without based on the individual bias. These ideas were total aleination of each individual to the entire community.
According to Rousseau, the general will represents what is best for the collective good of the community, prioritizing the common interests over individual desires. It embodies the shared values and aspirations of the populace, guiding the society toward collective welfare. Rousseau believed that true freedom is achieved when individuals align their personal interests with the general will, fostering a harmonious social order.
Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau were all Enlightenment thinkers who contributed to political philosophy. They each believed in the importance of individual freedoms, the social contract, and the concept of government by the consent of the governed. Their works helped shape modern ideas about democracy and the role of government in society.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote about the social contract in his work "The Social Contract" (1762). He argued that individuals form a society by agreeing to abide by common rules for the benefit of the community. Rousseau's ideas influenced political thought on government and individual rights.
There has to be both a consideration for the common good and individual rights. To have a government meet the needs of all citizens it must consider the common good of the society. To only address individual needs would mean that some citizens are left out of the political process.