Jean Jacques Rousseau And Edmond Burke

Jean Jacques Rousseau and Edmond Burke disagree on many viewpoints and political ideas. Both men clearly state their ideas in their writings. Rousseau and Burke have both seen the French and American Revolutions. Although, they were not able to see the repercussions of the wars they endured. Both men grew up in different environments and thus had different views on the world. Rousseau believed in political, economic, and social changes of civilizations when there is the belief that a more modern institution can do the job more efficiently. Burke disagrees with this idea entirely. Roseau was also known as the founding father of the French Revolution. He had a strong belief in removing old traditions and institutions for more modern and efficient …show more content…
Each man’s view on human nature could be looked at as a stepping-stone for the way that they viewed the world both men grew in. Rousseau believed that people in the state of nature were naturally good and realistic. (Rousseau p.60) He also believed that men and women did not interact with one another and thus do not possess a sense of virtue or morals. He states that people are self-concerning in that they take care of themselves yet if one of their own is in trouble they help out. This in such to preserve the species, this is referred to as “amour de soi” (Rousseau p. 73). Rousseau then goes on to state that people also possess the want to better their situation, which is referred to as “amour proper” (Rousseau p. 79). This idea brings about the self-love, judging and valuing of oneself to only people and what they possess. This not as an individual, but as a member of society. This idea encourages zero-sum gains. Rousseau views history in this way with this group of accidents in time. Rousseau feels that due to the fact that all of these are accidents they can be corrected and removed without any …show more content…
Rousseau believed that when a person enclosed land and took ownership they were the founder of civil society (Rousseau p. 84). This idea brought about the social contract. Wealthy individuals were encouraging of this contract to ensure that what they obtained in the State of Nature was secure (Rousseau p. 98). Of course, due to this idea the poor did not disagree with this and followed it to ensure when they become rich, they would also have protection. Rousseau also goes on to write that as long as there is a social contract, universal suffrage will be necessary. In his view if everyone has a voice then the general will can work. Rousseau says that if someone gives up their voice they are considered a slave to people that have and are not free (Rousseau p. 192). He also speaks of something called “particular will” (Rousseau p. 194). This is defined as an individual want or need that once can voice. General will is the group voice and what they feel is best for society as a whole. Rousseau believes that general will should prevail over particular wills. He states, “Our will is always for our own good, but we do not always see what that is.” (Rousseau p. 195) This being due to a single being does not possess rights and everyone should have an equal property