Rousseau's Theory of Social Contract

Rousseau's Theory of Social Contract

1. Jean Jacques Rousseau born in Geneva, Switzerland on June 28, 1712. He stopped traditional schooling at the age of 12. In 1762, he published his most famous works- The Social Contract and Emile He expressed his views about the social contract without having any consideration in his mind. His own ideas deeply influenced Kant and Hegel, the well-known German philosopher. Biological Sketch of Rousseau Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 1

2. First of all his views were severely criticized and his ideas were vehemently condemned and his books were burnt to ashes. Being disgusted and disappointed with the sorry state of affairs, he committed suicide in 1778. His ideas became so popular and powerful that it led to outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 after eleven years of his death. Biological Sketch of Rousseau Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 2

3. The agreement through which each person enters into civil society. The contract binds people into a community that exists for mutual preservation. As Rousseau thought “we sacrifice physical freedom to gain civil freedom”. According to Rousseau, “Social contract is not a historical fact but a hypothetical construction of reason”. What is a "social contract"? Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 3

4. Rousseau’s Social Contract The social contract is made among all the participants. The sovereign is the popular will of the collective whole of which all individuals are a part. The natural state of mankind is basically good. The social contract creates an association in which we all share common goals and principles. State guided by the general will. Framing the Social Contract Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 4

5. The individuals who wanted to group themselves into a society met together and surrendered their natural rights under the supreme direction of the general will. General Will: According to Rousseau, there was only one contract which was social and political at the same time. The individual surrendered himself contemporary and unconditionally to the contract of which he became the member of a society. The contract so entered was moral and collective. Rousseau called this contract General Will. Analysis Rousseau's Theory of "Social Contract" Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 5

6. According to Rousseau, the original ‘freedom, happiness, equality and liberty’ which existed in primitive societies prior to the social contract was lost in the modern civilization. Through social contract, a new form of social organization- the state was formed to assure and guarantee rights, liberties freedom, and equality. ‘Liberty’ for Rousseau, is freedom for political control and not freedom from political control. Rousseau's Theory of "Social Contract" Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 6

7. Rousseau favored people’s Sovereignty. His natural law theory is confined to the freedom and liberty of the individual. For him, state, law, sovereignty, general will, etc. are interchangeable terms. Rousseau’s theory inspired French and American revolutions and given impetus to nationalism. He based his theory of social contract on the principle of “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains”. Rousseau's Theory of "Social Contract" Cont'd Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 7

8. Rousseau’s concept of social contract was social but not governmental. Because Social Contract leads to sovereignty of the people. It distinguishes between the state and government and locates sovereignty in the General Will. Sovereign- the voice of the law and absolute authority within the state. In Rousseau’s words, the ‘ Sovereign’ is “the term which people speaking together”. Government- charged with application of the law toward particular matters. Rousseau's Contract was Social not Governmental Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 8

9. In the case of Rousseau, morality results from the contract because, as a result of the contract, regard for the community replaces regard for self and social duty and obligation get preference over the rights of the individual. The contracts makes a man rational and moral steadily through constant participation in the General Will. That of Rousseau is not confined to a signal act but involves a continuous participation in the general will and through it in the welfare of the community. Social Contract was a Continuous Process Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 9

10. The social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau showed important variations. Hobbes viewed natural man as essentially selfish and the state of nature as a period of constant warfare. Rousseau viewed the natural man as essentially good, and the state of nature as a period of idyllic happiness. Locke occupied a middle position on these points. Hobbes and Rousseau maintained that sovereignty was absolute; Locke viewed it as limited. Rousseau Compared with Hobbes & Locke Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 10

11. The theoretical explanation of Rousseau’s ‘Social Contract’ may be criticized on the following grounds: Rousseau pronounced that state, law and the government are interchangeable, but this in present scenario is difficult. The framing of social contract according to the views of Rousseau is illogical and vague. The thought of this theory is imaginary and not practicable. Critical Apprehension Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 11

12. Rousseau’s description of the State of Nature is quite unrealistic. Rousseau’s general will encourages Absolutism. Rousseau’s General Will does not attached any importance to the Individual Will. Locke viewed Rousseau’s popular sovereignty of continual exercise as unreal. In Locke’s theory; sovereignty, is held reserve and dormant. Critical Apprehension cont'd Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 12

13. If Rousseau’s views are criticized and condemned by some political thinkers, they are at the same time given importance by other scholars. Rousseau found distinction between the state and the government and supported the theory popular sovereignty first. He was the apostle of direct democracy and was not at all in favor of indirect democracy. J.M. Cohen has also supported this view and says “No one had as much influence as he on two centuries” . Importance of Rousseau's Views Sheikh Saifullah Ahmed 13