Summary of Rousseau s Book On the Soci
Tarek Taji - 41040
POL 201 – sec.2 Introduction to Political Science
Feb 18th /2013
Summary of Rousseau’s Book “On the Social Contract” book 1.
“Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.” Rousseau’s words that says much about the concept of the Social Contract and other main concepts in life. Here, he is trying to raise a question if the “governing authorities” whether support the freedom of people or are they the “chains” over people’s freedom. Rousseau refutes the claim that there is something called “natural political authority” or “political body supremacy”. The “natural authority” such as the one between the father & his child is not the same as, in somehow, the one between the ruler and his subjects, or perhaps as others saw it at that time. As a matter a fact, the force is the thing which determines the kind of relations in the last one. As he elaborated this legitimate force was not founded by nature. Rousseau suggested that an agreement (social contract) between the different members in society – those who have the authority & power and those who don’t - would legitimize the “Authority”; and in this case, there will be an exchange of interest. In support, the examples of, the relation between the slaves who surrender their liberty to the master or the relation between the king and the people, were brought up to address this inquiry; is there a real exchange of interest? Trade between preservation (security) for the right of ruling, maybe? Anyways, there must be something or an interest that people see so they give away their liberty, otherwise, they would be crazy, as Rousseau has noted.
Another noteworthy question that Rousseau did raise in this book, which was: What is the limit or the amount of freedom that the people are giving out or will give out to their governors? Is there a fair exchange? According to Rousseau, it is impossible. Also, if the people surrendered their freedom to the
POL 201 – sec.2 Introduction to Political Science
Feb 18th /2013
Summary of Rousseau’s Book “On the Social Contract” book 1.
“Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.” Rousseau’s words that says much about the concept of the Social Contract and other main concepts in life. Here, he is trying to raise a question if the “governing authorities” whether support the freedom of people or are they the “chains” over people’s freedom. Rousseau refutes the claim that there is something called “natural political authority” or “political body supremacy”. The “natural authority” such as the one between the father & his child is not the same as, in somehow, the one between the ruler and his subjects, or perhaps as others saw it at that time. As a matter a fact, the force is the thing which determines the kind of relations in the last one. As he elaborated this legitimate force was not founded by nature. Rousseau suggested that an agreement (social contract) between the different members in society – those who have the authority & power and those who don’t - would legitimize the “Authority”; and in this case, there will be an exchange of interest. In support, the examples of, the relation between the slaves who surrender their liberty to the master or the relation between the king and the people, were brought up to address this inquiry; is there a real exchange of interest? Trade between preservation (security) for the right of ruling, maybe? Anyways, there must be something or an interest that people see so they give away their liberty, otherwise, they would be crazy, as Rousseau has noted.
Another noteworthy question that Rousseau did raise in this book, which was: What is the limit or the amount of freedom that the people are giving out or will give out to their governors? Is there a fair exchange? According to Rousseau, it is impossible. Also, if the people surrendered their freedom to the