Jean Jacques Rousseau

Jean Jacques Rousseau is either considered the father of modern tyranny or a political genius, however, the theories and views that he wrote and discussed were not his own.  He borrowed from ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, and peers such as Thomas Hobbes.  The truth is that the social contract theory was and is, in its most basic form, the belief that man needs to give up his own individualism, or “general will”, for the ideals of the society, or the “will of all.”¹  Socrates explained this concept when discussing why he had to abide by the sentence of death imposed upon him.²  Thomas Hobbes view took a bit of a different direction, but the premise is the same.  Men will give up their self-interests to live civilly under a sovereign.³  John Locke focused his social contract theory on the equality of all men being bound by the Law of Nature as provided to the human race from God.⁴  All of these led Rousseau into his ideas of social contract theory, which is what influenced much of the American political system in its infancy.

Influence of Jean Jacques Rousseau

            The basic concept of Rousseau’s version of Social Contract Theory was a foundation on the natural state of man which is freedom, happiness, love of self and equality with all other men in a state of nature.  When men into a society together, inequality and property become the laws rather than nature and only through a social contract in which they agree to forego their own individualism for the law and creation of the many, hence society.⁵   However, his view was a true democratic society and not a representative democratic society.  He believed in having people come together and discuss, vote and decide on things, instead of allowing someone else to choose their will, as in a representative society.

            The system of checks and balances was a concept put forward by Rousseau.  In fact, his system was much stricter in the sense that at every turning point there would be a checks and balance to get through before the bill or act or law could proceed forward.  If at any point, the law failed to meet the requirements, it was nullified.⁶   Many did not always understand Rousseau and his views especially in the concept of tyranny, but he spoke out against the violence of tyranny and those in authority to putting themselves above the law of the society in his social contract discussions.⁷   Both of these are unacceptable and if they occur, he encourages men to return to their states of nature.

Influence on Thomas Jefferson

            Thomas Jefferson used much of Rousseau’s view when preparing the Constitution.  He ensured there were checks and balances and that there was life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all of which coincided with Rousseau’s natural man.  While he did not agree with the pure democracy ideal, he did set up the representative government that was to follow the societal norms and views when conducting their authoritative roles and providing security for the society.^8,9  Jefferson was truly looking forward to a completely equalitarian society that was also democratic.¹⁰  While this never came to pass as he wanted, his ideas helped to provide the future of America as being based on freedom and equality as perceived by the society at large.  This view has changed over the years and will continue to change as time passes, but Jefferson was one of the key players that started it all.

Influence on Benjamin Franklin

            The idea of the civil man was in line with the views of Benjamin Franklin.  He viewed the state of natural man as being one with the laws of God.  This made the idea of the civil man as being governed by the Great Governor, God.  Through God’s laws the new nation would win the religious war against the evil England.  To Franklin, it was more or less, God’s will that the citizens of the United States begin again with a democratic government founded of the laws of God.  Considering that 52 signers of the Constitution were Free Mason’s the foundation of religious law was a given, and thus the government was formed through a social contract with all of the civil men that were children of God.¹¹

Influence on James Madison

            James Madison feared the take over of a tyrant at the birth of the United States.  He feared the power being given to a small group of individuals.  This was a view that Rousseau also feared and wrote extensively that if this happens chaos occurs.  Therefore, both Rousseau and Madison work for the separation of powers.  In the United States, these separations lead to the creation of the Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch, and Executive Branch.  Through the system of checks and balances, no one branch can gain more power than the other branches and therefore the chance of a tyrant or dictator is less likely.¹²

Conclusion

            The founding fathers of the United States wanted to make sure that the same problems they faced in England would not occur in this new land.  They had a vision of the natural man living in a society and found a way with the help of Rousseau, Locke, Hobbes, and Socrates to integrate the best parts into one.  The separation of power, the checks and balances, allowing everyone to have a say in the leaders was all based on views and theory portrayed by Rousseau.  Even though he took ideas from others, each person previously was influenced by their history and their current situation.  This is exactly true of Rousseau and how he influenced many groups, especially the United States founders.  While the American government is not a perfect Rousseau vision, it is closest to his view of what a truly equal government would be and how the civil men would work in the community.  His vision lives on in the Constitution of the United States and in many of the citizen of this country.

Notes

1. Friend, Celeste. “Social Contract Theory [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy].” The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy – IEP. http://www.iep.utm.edu/s/soc-cont.htm (accessed December 23, 2008).

6. Horowitz, Maryanne Cline. New Dictionary of the History of Ideas (6 Volume Set). New York: NY, 1980.

7. Williams, David. “Modern theorist of tyranny? Lessons from Rousseau’s system of checks and balances.” Polity 37 (2005): 443-466, General OneFile.

8. Friend, Celeste. “Social Contract Theory [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy].” The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy – IEP. http://www.iep.utm.edu/s/soc-cont.htm (accessed December 23, 2008).

9. Horowitz, Maryanne Cline. New Dictionary of the History of Ideas (6 Volume Set). New York: NY, 1980.

11. Stewart, Carole. Encyclopedia of Religion, 15 Volume Set. New York: Macmillan Reference Books, 2005.

12. Williams, David. “Modern theorist of tyranny? Lessons from Rousseau’s system of checks and balances.” Polity 37 (2005): 443-466, General OneFile.

Bibliography

Friend, Celeste. “Social Contract Theory [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy].” The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy – IEP. http://www.iep.utm.edu/s/soc-cont.htm (accessed December 23, 2008).

Horowitz, Maryanne Cline. New Dictionary of the History of Ideas (6 Volume Set). New York: NY, 1980.

Stewart, Carole. Encyclopedia of Religion, 15 Volume Set. New York: Macmillan Reference Books, 2005.

Williams, David. “Modern theorist of tyranny? Lessons from Rousseau’s system of checks and balances.” Polity 37 (2005): 443-466, General OneFile