Jean-Jacques Rousseau

When, according to Rousseau, is the democracy lost?

According to Rousseau, the democracy is lost once the citizens no longer exercise their general will and became corrupt, having no regard to the laws of the land. He also believed that the general will of each person was lost through a government of elected representatives and could only be maintained in a direct democracy.

According to Rousseau, the people exercised "general will" to make laws for the _____________.

According to Rousseau, the people exercised "general will" to make laws for the "public good".

Give examples from your life where you have participated in decision making like that of a direct democracy.

An example of direct democracy in my life and student body and club elections. I would listen to each candidate running, take into account all the speeches and interests, and vote for the candidate I thought would be best in their position. My vote would directly affect the results.

In Rousseau's time, what did most philosophers think about freedom?

In Rousseau's time, most philosophers thought that freedom meant chaos and anarchy. They believed a stable society could only be formed if the people submitted themselves to the rule and authority of a monarch.

What did Rousseau believe is the ideal way of making laws for government?

Rousseau believed that the ideal way of making laws for government was through a direct democracy where all citizens directly voted on laws and every vote counted.

What was Rousseau's early family life like?

Rousseau had an unfortunate early family life. Born in Geneva in 1712, his mother would die when he was 13 and his failed watchmaker of a father would flee Geneva to avoid imprisonment because of a fighting duel.

How did Rousseau's idea differ from theirs?

Rousseau ideas of freedom differed from those of most philosopher's in his time as he believed that as long as society ruled itself, people can be free and under a rule. The government would have a democratic "social contract" with its governed people and the people would have a direct voice in it to keep their all their interests included.

What was Rousseau's most important work titled?

Rousseau's most important work is titled The Social Contract, in which he expressed his own political theory of the relationship between the citizens and rulers that differed from that of previous philosophers.

In his winning essay, what did Rousseau say about man's nature?

Rousseau's winning essay expressed his belief that man's nature was naturally good but became corrupt due to society.

How was Rousseau educated?

While traveling, Rousseau would befriend several wealthy and generous people that provided him with the resources like time, money, and shelter, to get an education in music and philosophy.

According to Rousseau, what corrupts the natural goodness of human beings? Why?

According to Rousseau, believed that institutions pushed forward by society, such as governments, schools, arts, and media, corrupted the natural goodness of human beings.

Based on Rousseau's views of human nature, do you think he thought people can be trusted to govern themselves?

Based on Rousseau's views on human nature I think he thought people can be trusted to govern themselves. Rousseau believed that people were naturally good and moral and as long as they were in a state of nature, away from society's institutions, they would live a content and calm life.

How were decisions made in the Swiss villages where Rousseau grew up?

In the Swiss villages Rousseau grew up in decisions were made locally in the small district rather than in a faraway in a capital city where the center of government would be.

Who would actually RUN Rousseau's democracy?

Officials whose orders were from the people would run Rousseau's democracy and were entrusted with administering the general will.

How did Rousseau believe people would act in a state of nature?

Rousseau believed that if in a state of nature, people would live happily and peaceful, as they are all born good, independent, and compassionate.

Rousseau believed that the Social Contract between the rulers and the people was a ________ because the rich __________ the commoners into letting them rule.

Rousseau believed that the Social Contract between the rulers and the people was a fraud and unwilling agreement because the rich fooled and manipulated the commoners into letting them rule.

According to Rousseau, who was the Sovereign?

Rousseau believed that the Sovereign was the whole community of governed people of that government.

Where was Rousseau born, and where was he educated?

Rousseau was born in Geneva, Switzerland, but left to travel throughout other European countries, such as France and Italy where he educated himself.

Why did Rousseau leave Geneva?

Rousseau would become the apprentice of an abusive engraver who would harshly mistreat him leading him to run away from him and leave Geneva to travel about Europe.

What two parts did Rousseau's ideal government consist of?

Rousseau's ideal government consisted of two parts, an assembly of adult males who would all help create laws and enforces and administrators of the laws, such as presidents and prime ministers, to be representatives of the people.