The Social Contract

The Social Contract

In Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s “Social Contract,” he draws influence from conservative theorists, such as Hobbes, and liberal theorists, such as Locke, alike when mapping out how what a well-functioning socio-political state would look like in the 18th century. Rousseau distinctly categorizes three groups of society, the public of individuals, the sovereign made up of the individuals as a collective, and the government or state. He intrinsically separates the first two (the public and sovereign) from the latter (the state), which he defines as the monarchy and aristocracy. In his view, the sovereign in constant tension with the state, and the same tension, in turn, leads to the inevitable destruction of states. However, to maintain a stable state for the most extended period of time, certain measures can be taken in structuring power. A legislative body can be made up of the sovereign to work alongside the aristocracy, whom Rousseau sees as essential for maintaining stability in a state. Effective citizenship by much of the public would be required for such a system to function naturally, and Rousseau draws comparisons to classical states such as in Ancient Rome or Greece, where such citizenship was an honorary duty by the public, especially those higher in the socio-political ranks of society.
Rousseau also warns against certain factors which could weaken the balance and stability of a state. He argues for conformity in society within the public sphere (public life). This conformity applies to religion, language, and other cultural identities. By encouraging uniformity, he is by virtue suggesting that homogeneity aids in the stability of states and avoiding friction between different members and powers in society. For example, religion could be harnessed by a state to promote morals which benefit stability and active citizenship among all individuals in the state. Regardless, Rousseau maintains that the state should not be imposed onto the private life of citizens, where personal identities should be relatively free.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Wikimedia Commons

1762

Public Domain