Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Political Philosophy and Social Contract

The Concept of the State and the General Will

A perfect state must balance security and freedom. In this model, members determine the course of the state through a general meeting, specifically by majority vote. For Rousseau, what the people choose by majority is considered right. The general will represents the majority vote when citizens consider the common good, whereas the general interest reflects votes cast for particular, individual interests. The ideal state exists when the general interest and the general will align.

Natural Education in Emile

Rousseau argues that individuals living under private ownership become egotistical, despite being naturally good. To prevent this, he proposes an education system tailored to human nature:

• Probationary Education: Children should be isolated from the corrupting influences of society.
• Avoiding Artificial Needs: By not creating unnecessary needs, children remain naturally good.
• Alignment: The ultimate goal of this education is to ensure that the general interest and the general will of the state remain in harmony.

Rousseau’s Critique of the Enlightenment

Rousseau is often considered an anti-Enlightenment thinker. He argued that science and technology do not foster human development but rather hinder it. He believed that science facilitates the establishment of private property, which serves as the root of inequality—a view that contradicted his contemporaries who equated science with progress.

The State of Nature and the Social Contract

Rousseau defines the state as a covenant or agreement between men. Before the formation of the state, humans lived in a state of nature characterized by absolute freedom. In this state, there were no rules or repressive institutions, and humans were naturally good and free from malice.

• Contrast with Hobbes: Unlike Hobbes, who famously claimed that "man is a wolf to man," Rousseau believed humans were inherently peaceful.
• The Rational Choice: Eventually, rational thought led humans to realize that their survival was at risk. To gain security, they chose to ally with others, relinquishing a portion of their absolute freedom.

The Origin and Purpose of the State

The state arises from a contractarian theory where men agree on standards of living to support collective survival. Because the state is a product of reason and requires the surrender of absolute freedom, it is inherently restrictive. However, Rousseau seeks a form of government that mimics the freedom of the state of nature as closely as possible. He concludes that democracy is the best form of government, as it ensures that the state’s rules protect freedom rather than acting as a dictatorship.