The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy. Rousseau`s ideas on the origins of society and the role of the individual in the state have left a lasting impact on modern politics. In this article, we will provide a brief summary of the Social Contract.
The book begins with the famous opening line: “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Rousseau argues that humans in their natural state are free and autonomous beings, but they have been enslaved by society`s institutions and conventions. He believes that the current state of society is the result of a social contract, an agreement amongst individuals to give up certain rights and freedoms in exchange for protection and security.
According to Rousseau, the social contract is the foundation of the state. He argues that it is the only legitimate source of political power, asserting that all forms of authority must be based on the consent of the governed. The social contract is not a physical document but rather a moral and political idea that binds people together in a common goal to promote the general will.
The general will is the collective will of the people that benefits society as a whole. Rousseau believes that the general will is always right and just, and that it must be followed even if it goes against individual interests. The general will is the sum total of the individual wills of the members of society, and is the ultimate source of all laws and regulations.
Rousseau argues that the social contract operates on the principle of equality. All individuals are equal in the state of nature, and it is only through the social contract that inequalities arise. However, these inequalities must be justified by the general will and must promote the common good.
The Social Contract is an important work of political philosophy and has had a profound impact on modern political thought. Rousseau`s ideas on the social contract, the general will, and the role of the individual in the state have influenced the development of democracy and other forms of government. By reading and understanding this work, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the foundations of modern political thought.