5.2 Rousseau, the Social Contract, and the Enlightenment

Rousseau and the Social Contract

Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued in *The Social Contract* (1762) that legitimate government arises from the general will of the people, not divine right or tradition. Individuals surrender some personal freedom to the collective in exchange for civil liberty and the common good. This radical idea challenged absolutism and inspired revolutionary calls for popular sovereignty and direct democracy.

Rousseau's critique of civilization

Unlike other Enlightenment thinkers, Rousseau believed civilization corrupted natural human goodness, creating inequality and dependence through private property and social institutions. In *Discourse on Inequality*, he traced how humans moved from a free, equal state of nature to one of artificial hierarchy — a critique that fueled later revolutionary and Romantic ideals.

Enlightenment context and legacy

Rousseau built on Enlightenment rationalism but diverged from thinkers like Locke (natural rights, limited government) and Hobbes (strong sovereign to control chaos). His emphasis on collective sovereignty and the general will directly influenced the French Revolution, Jacobin radicalism, and modern democratic theory, though critics warned it could justify majority tyranny.

Key terms

The Social Contract (1762)

Rousseau's work arguing legitimate government stems from the general will of the people, who consent to give up some freedom for the common good.

General will

The collective interest and will of the community, which Rousseau believed should guide legitimate governance.

Discourse on Inequality

Rousseau's work arguing that civilization, private property, and social institutions created artificial inequality among naturally equal humans.

Rousseau vs. Locke

Rousseau emphasized collective sovereignty (general will); Locke emphasized individual natural rights and limited government.

Rousseau's influence on the French Revolution

His ideas about popular sovereignty and the general will inspired revolutionary and Jacobin calls for radical democracy.

Try an AP-style question

Revolutionaries like Robespierre used Rousseau's "general will" to…

1. justify suppressing opponents
2. support monarchy
3. restore the church
4. promote free markets