Raja Atluri, Robert Annen, Brian Kenez, David Berkinsky

Born June 28, 1712 in Geneva, Switzerland. Died July 2, 1778 in Ermenonville, France. Mother, Suzanne Bernard, died during childbirth. Only child, ran away from home when he was a child. Father, Isaac, a watchmaker, educated Rousseau. Father abandoned Rousseau; Isaac left Geneva to escape imprisonment after getting into a quarrel with a captain. Studied in the village of Bosey, but did not have a formal university education.

Converted to Catholicism (after two baptisms) but later reconverted to Calvinism. Moved to Paris to become a musician and composer, but failed to succeed in both. Met Denis Diderot, a prominent Enlightenment Age thinker, and collaborated with him on the Encyclopedie. Dyslexic, a lousy linguist, even resorted to petty theft at one point. Unfit to be a secretary, monk’s interpreter, tutor, or bureaucrat.

Begin writing, the substance of his career, at the age of 40. His novel Julie was the best-selling novel of the century. He also wrote Emilie, a guide to family values and child raising. The Social Contract was one of his most influential works; it turned the political system of England on its head. However, he was heavily persecuted for The Social Contract and was forced to flee to England as a result. Other notable works include: Confessions, Discourse on the Arts and Sciences, Le Devin du Village, Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men

Human nature is intrinsically good and innocent. Believed that events of present day society corrupted human nature. Progression of sciences and arts corrupted virtue and morality. “Man was born free and everywhere he is in chains” – The Social Contract, 1754, Rousseau Believed men are stronger and more independent than women but that women are cleverer than men and excel in practical reason.

 Believed in sovereignty, or self-government, but only under the condition that it acts for the good of the community as a whole.  Rousseau’s theory of General Will: in a democratic society, government represents the general interests of the citizens. By obeying government’s laws each citizen is pursuing his individual interest.  Rousseau supported the concept of democratic self- representative government.  Believed that if it did not favor one party over another, government was favorable to citizens.

 Modern society has tainted the human ability to self- rule. In the early days, government was unnecessary.  Proponent of collectivism: Individual finds his true being in the support of community.  Balance between citizens and government should be based on a social compact, e.g. a constitution.  If that contract is broken, then government is ineffective and not needed.  Believed government should benefit all citizens, not just the very wealthy, unlike government in England, where 1/3 of the population lived in squalor.

Rousseau revolutionized the way of thought about government:  Pronounced the people sovereign  One citizen is just as equal to another  Considered theocratic government akin to tyranny Rousseau’s groundbreaking beliefs could have provided motivation for Jefferson’s belief of certain inalienable rights. His beliefs could have motivated the American constitution and caused anger in the American people as they did not receive such rights from England.

In the Social Contract Rousseau outlined a plan for democracy in which all citizens would actively reduce the need for and the presence of special interest groups like the very wealthy. This form of democracy heavily influenced the founding fathers and the American constitution.

Rousseau believed any form of government that does not guarantee rights to all citizens has broken the implied social contract between government and citizens. Americans who were influenced by Rousseau could have felt entitled to such a contract. After being oppressed by the Navigation Laws and the like, Americans could have felt the need to annul this “contract.” This idea provided by Rousseau could have planted the seed of rebellion.