Rousseau Flashcards
Two factors outlined in Political Economy as essential to the general will
Equality of wealth and an innate sense of patriotism
The trade-off of rights in the SC
First vote on whether you want to be in the Social Contract or not determines whether you then go on to be bound by the rest of the laws as determined by the general will.
If bound by the general will then lose natural rights but gain civil freedoms, property protections and morals “the only thing shtat makes man truly the master of himself” (59)
“his entire soul raised so much higher”
What is freedom according to Rousseau?
Living under laws that we have imposed on ourselves.
We all agree to the laws because we select what would be best for us and then the minority realises that that would be best for them too
Importance of equality in the SC
“They may be unequal in strength or intelligence, but all beome equl through agreed convention and by right”
Problems of democracy for Rousseau
May be very easy for a few different dominant GROUPS to lead discussions as to what the general will wants
This entails that “the number of voters is no longer the same as the number of men, but only the same as the number of associations. The differences become fewer and give a less general result”
Preference for a certain type of society
“menagerie d’hommes heureux” (a little equalitarian republic)
“the further the social bond is stretched, the weaker it gets”
“the larger the state becomes, the more liberty decreases”
“very few laws”
Body-politic metaphor (Social Contract)
“The legislative power is the heart of the state, the executive power is the mind, which makes every part move”
Requirements for democracy in the state
Must meet at regular, fixed intervals.
The sovereign do make a specific decision in choosing their first government which requires
“the instantaneous conversion of sovereignty into democracy”
Is a consensus required for the general will?
Cobban- consensus not enough. General will required to be general in origin, general in scope and inspired by the general and permanent interests of the whole community. Not the number of interests that generalises the will, but instead the common bond between them.
Hall- Respecting the interests of others is not enough, instead we must respect the interests of ALL (which includes us!!!) –> no conflict between particular and general will
White- General will seeks to maximise something that is NOT an aggregate but something that exists only through something being goood FOR THE WHOLE
