“The Social Contract” was Rousseau’s most important contribution to his time, and to philosophy in general. It played a key role in establishing governments after the American Revolution and French Revolution. He brought to light these new ideas, and they would have a lasting effect for the years to come.
Going hand in hand with Rousseau’s “The Social Contract”, his “Discourse on Inequality” provides many key points and factors left out. While “The Social Contract” gives a solution to failures of a government, “Discourse” mostly enumerates the failures of government and the necessity of a change in government. “Discourse” can be seen as the spark causing a revolution, and “Social Contract” being the catalyst that also lays the ground work …show more content…
He made huge strides in outlining the values of the collective and individual as well as their faults. In terms of the overall notion of where the power of the state lies, Rousseau argued that it is within the people or citizens. Rousseau was part of an interesting transition between where power lies and who made the laws. Prior to Rousseau and the Enlightenment Era in general, the sovereignty of state lay with the ruler. This antiquated view of royalty was probably best exemplified by Louis XIV of France when he boldly declared “L 'État, c 'est moi” (“I am the state”). During the reign of Luis XIV (and most other monarchs before him), the ruler was regarded as chosen by God and thus had a divine right to rule. Consequently, they not only made the laws, but were also above the laws as well. Because the sovereignty lies with the king, all subjects beneath him were “in chains” according to …show more content…
He recognizes the necessity of carrying out legislative power and says that job should lie with the government, of which there are three. The three main forms of government are monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. Monarchies are best suited to controlling large unruly populations, as it is the strongest. The use and necessity of aristocracies or democracies can vary. Because the ruling body is separate from the sovereign, there is typically disputes between the two. Usually, the state will outlast the government. He calls for the sovereignty to meet on a regular basis to maintain its health and advocates for a mediator between the government and
Going hand in hand with Rousseau’s “The Social Contract”, his “Discourse on Inequality” provides many key points and factors left out. While “The Social Contract” gives a solution to failures of a government, “Discourse” mostly enumerates the failures of government and the necessity of a change in government. “Discourse” can be seen as the spark causing a revolution, and “Social Contract” being the catalyst that also lays the ground work …show more content…
He made huge strides in outlining the values of the collective and individual as well as their faults. In terms of the overall notion of where the power of the state lies, Rousseau argued that it is within the people or citizens. Rousseau was part of an interesting transition between where power lies and who made the laws. Prior to Rousseau and the Enlightenment Era in general, the sovereignty of state lay with the ruler. This antiquated view of royalty was probably best exemplified by Louis XIV of France when he boldly declared “L 'État, c 'est moi” (“I am the state”). During the reign of Luis XIV (and most other monarchs before him), the ruler was regarded as chosen by God and thus had a divine right to rule. Consequently, they not only made the laws, but were also above the laws as well. Because the sovereignty lies with the king, all subjects beneath him were “in chains” according to …show more content…
He recognizes the necessity of carrying out legislative power and says that job should lie with the government, of which there are three. The three main forms of government are monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. Monarchies are best suited to controlling large unruly populations, as it is the strongest. The use and necessity of aristocracies or democracies can vary. Because the ruling body is separate from the sovereign, there is typically disputes between the two. Usually, the state will outlast the government. He calls for the sovereignty to meet on a regular basis to maintain its health and advocates for a mediator between the government and