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Jean Jacques Rousseau Research Paper

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Rousseau’s Social Contract Some of the most debatable issues of all times are the principles of equality, liberty, society, government and the right to property. These ideals are constantly debated by various scholars despite the times in which they are been studied. One of the most prominent scholars that shed light on these issues was philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau is considered one of the brightest philosopher as well as enlightenment thinkers. He was able to influence the political and viewpoint for many years; thus making him of the most controversial philosopher of his time. The concepts of human nature, liberty, property, corruption of society, and the general will to human beings are still ongoing discussion from generation …show more content…

In order words, their decisions needs to reflect ‘the general will.’ The general will is what should be in everybody’s best interest because what pleases the society pleases the individuals in the society. So when one vote in the national assembly, he must make his decision based on the general will, meaning what is good for everybody’s interest. The general will is pure, incorrupt, and it is the only legitimate sovereign. If everyone’s decision is made base on the general will, without the influence of selfish, individualistic wants then society will be submissive. The general will is the solution to the social contract. It is the formation of the commonwealth coming together as active citizens to make laws for …show more content…

For instance, people will not mind higher taxes in order to serve the general will instead of their human selfish materialistic, conceited trait to have and have more. In Rousseau’s general will he states “the general will is always right and always tends towards the public utility (on the Social Contract: Bk. II, CH. III 437).” Thus clarifying the fact Rousseau is a social liberalist, who is always looking for what benefits and serve society rather than what benefits an individual’s private interest. In addition, Rousseau’s social liberalism view describes the role of government by stating “government, an intermediate body established between the subjects and the sovereign for their mutual communication, and charged with the executive of laws and the preservation of liberty, both civil and political (p.450).” This perception of government is nothing but a social liberal view of what the government is and should be, ‘mutual communication…preservation of liberty, both civil and political.’ Thus social liberals like Rousseau realize that certain higher goods such as freedom and equal contribution in political activities, freedom from alienation is needed to preserve society and the general will of the

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