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The Social Contract, By Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau books were marvelously written. When it came to The Social Contract, his ideas came to life. One of the aspects that he wanted to portray were reasons why the people gave up their natural liberty over the state of nature, and how the political standpoint became such an impact on people’s lives. One of the things he said that stood out to me was, “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” (Cole, 2017) When Rousseau stated that men are born free into this world, the law of nature prevails. However, men are shackled to the world with rules and regulations that binds us to our actions. In chapters I-IV, he talks about the natural society of the family structure; women and children are bound to their fathers. The …show more content…

It’s a weird concept, but it still holds true even today. Rousseau work was supported by having the freedom of liberty for the people and not have them physically tied down by their actions or having authority within the states. The government has the power to take care of everyday problems, and to be divided into democracy, monarchy, and aristocracy. The laws are in place with the idea of having people stay loyal to the sovereign no matter what social class you are in. Each person has their own voice to be able to express what is truly best for them and to consider the common good of the …show more content…

It has been altered to make sure everyone’s rights and needs are met, and for the government to follow strict guidelines to appease the rights of the people without conflict. Rousseau concludes, “Now that I have laid down the true principles of political right, and tried to plant the state on its own base, the next task would be to strengthen it by its foreign relations. That would bring in the law of nations, commerce, the right of war and conquest, public law, leagues, negotiations, treaties, etc. But all this adds up to a new subject that is far too vast for my narrow scope. As it is, I have ranged further afield than I ought to have.” (Jonathan Bennett and Rousseau,

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