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What Is Rousseau Influence On Government

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In this paper I will discuss Jean-Jacques Rousseau philosophy on politics, some of which are common with America’s political system and some of which are not. Rousseau’s philosophy regarding slavery, equality and the right to assemble are common with elements found in the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Sovereignty as defined by Rousseau is a collective grouping of all citizens, who have absolute power and who express the general will of the people. Their purpose is to express and protect the common good of the people. Rousseau supported the idea of a death penalty for individuals who did not abide by the social contract. He felt that monarchy was not a legitimate form of political authority; his preference was for aristocracies, which he claimed were more stable. (Rousseau, 2005) According to Rousseau, an impartial lawgiver who was not citizen of the sovereign should make laws that should guarantee equality and liberty for the citizens derived from morals, customs, and beliefs. Rousseau believed that the sovereignty should exercise legislative power using laws, but that states also needed a government to exercise executive power and developing laws appropriate for the state’s own unique situations and circumstances. Aspects of these philosophies are found in America’s political …show more content…

colonies wanted to have the same rights as other nations, removing themselves from the oppression of British rule was the first step. Equality for the nations and for people, are examples of Rousseau’s philosophy, which are addressed in the Declaration of Independence. Rousseau and the U.S. recognized the importance of citizen’s voting for government officials, and that citizens are expected to abide by the laws set up by governing bodies. Those who break the law face consequences for their actions. The use of capital punishment and the death penalty are elements of the U.S. political system that were presented by

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