Unrealistic Unselfishness

             Jean Jacques Rousseau, in The Social Contract, declares that an individual's general will is the ideal governing force of the state. This essentially calls for a complete separation of the individual from the state, thus forming the Sovereign. Without individual concerns and biases, the collective body rules for the common interest to create and uphold the laws of the Sovereign. Although Rousseau's intentions are undoubtedly pleasant, this concept's flaws lie in its requirement that people put the state's needs above their own. However patriotic this may seem, Rousseau distorts basic human nature by committing the fallacy of idealistically assuming people seek the common good over their own personal well being. Realistically, politics are not the most important element in every citizen's life. It is difficult indeed, to completely separate self-interest and conclude unanimously for the state. The general will's objectives are respectable, but they would be more benefici!
             al with a more feasible concept of democracy. Rousseau forms the social contract as a way to preserve freedom through self-government by eliminating individual self-interest. He bases this on the optimistic assertion that society will choose to follow the general will. In every society, however, self-interest is the catalyst of progress. For a state to advance and prosper there must be a government, such as the modern form of democracy, that allows for more personality and individuality.
             According to Rousseau, the fundamental problem is that "man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains" (The Social Contract, 181). One's freedom is only attained with independence. Until this is accomplished, each person remains someone's theoretical slave. Man formed a civil society, but Rousseau is dissatisfied with the product. He feels people are still oppressed and are only equal in the sense that they all lack the same things. He recognizes the nature of ...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
Unrealistic Unselfishness . (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 11:49, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/60883.html