The Social Contract By John Locke And Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The Third Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits the government from forcing citizens to quarter soldiers in their homes without their consent. This amendment is based on the fundamental principle of individual liberty and protection from government intrusion. Two of the most influential political philosophers of their era, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, have different views on the relationship between the government and the individual. Their differing perspectives on the Third Amendment highlight their contrasting ideas about the role of the government and its authority over the individual. The third amendment states, “No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor

In his work, “The Social Contract”, Rousseau argues that the government's authority over the individual is derived from the general will of the people. The general will represent the collective interest of the community and takes priority over individual interests. In this context, Rousseau argues that the government has the right to conscript soldiers and house them in citizens' homes if it is necessary for the common good. In The Social Contract, Rousseau writes, “The general will is always right and tends to the public advantage; but it does not follow that the deliberations of the people are always equally correct. Our will is always for our own good, but we do not always see what that is; the people is never corrupted, but it is often deceived, and on such occasions only does it seem to will what is bad” (Rousseau, p.11). If housing soldiers in citizens' homes is necessary to achieve the common good, then doesn’t the government have the authority to do so? Even when considering the rights that you believe you have, Rousseau believes that the common good comes first. If the common good imposes on your natural rights, your natural rights were not for the common good in the given scenario which is generally the best choice to agree with. When the common good comes first, the importance of your consent is nonexistent because it has zero relation to the common

The authors frequently stress the significance of defending individual liberties and rights against the expansion of governmental authority. In his book “Common Sense”, Thomas Paine makes the case that, "government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry (Paine 5)" He continues by stating, "the plain truth is, that the antiquity of English monarchy will not bear looking into (Paine 8)." Paine is arguing that the idea of monarchical rule is outdated and unjustified, and that individual liberties should be protected against such abuses of