Locke Vs Rousseau Essay

Based on my reading of Candide, the Second Treatise on Government, and The Social Contract I think that although writings of Locke and Rousseau are very similar in many ways in that they both support freedom from tyrannical governments, Voltaire would agree with Rousseau more than Locke as the preferred model on which to form a government for the people. I believe that Voltaire would agree more with Rousseau than Locke on the best way to form a government because in Candide the idealized nation that Voltaire describes is that in El Dorado, where the general will is put above personal gain. The Anabaptist James was also praised by Voltaire for his charitable works of putting the wellbeing of others ahead of himself. Finally in the end of the book they are all working together on the …show more content…
When Rousseau writes “his capabilities are put to good use and developed; his ideas are enriched, his sentiments made more noble, and his soul elevated” (Rousseau) Voltaire puts this idea to action as by the end of the book all the characters are working pursuing their own talents and skills together as a group as Cunégonde is talented at pastry work, Paquette embroiders, the old woman takes care of linen, and Candide is farming the land. “But we must cultivate our garden” (Candide) the last line of the book is another good example that Voltaire favours the Rousseau way of thinking about government. Candide learned from the Turk, who though he didn’t possess much land was able to provide for himself and his family as they all worked the land together as a whole, that the keys to happiness in the world when there are so many things that can go wrong is to stay busy working and participating in