PHIL 2345 Rousseau Social Contract, Book 3:

Size matters (II.9) Death of the obese state ‘maximum of force which the [body politic] cannot exceed’ ‘the more the social bond stretches, the looser it grows’ People do not see their Chiefs Do not know their fellow citizens Fatherland seems as big as whole world ‘in general a small State is proportionately stronger than a large one.’ Burdens on people: Taxes Administration, especially in despotic regimes.

Definition of a republic Any state ruled by laws (II.6.9) Fn: ‘any government guided by the general will, which is the law’ Gov’t executes will of Sovereign, is its minister For then the ‘public interest’ (GW) governs Laws cannot be unjust b/c one cannot be unjust to oneself: one is author of law as member of Sovereign; as in Hobbes; GW = general, rather than particular, i.e. law considers people as a body.

Rousseau’s republicanism, 1754 (ED of DOI, par. 11) People approve laws by direct vote, in an assembly—’a Body’ this is not modern, representative democracy Like assemblies in ancient cities, e.g. Athens’s ekklesia Laws are proposed by magistrates Laws, not people, are sovereign (Geneva) Who are the magistrates? Officials of the republic, not members of a legislature Most capable and upright members of society Elected for just one year at a time (term limit) Their virtue bears witness to the wisdom of the people.

Aristotle on Democracy Not rule of the best: Best regimes are kingship, aristocracy, polity But not worst regime either—these are: tyranny, Oligarchy. Qualified endorsement of democracy: Democracy exhibits collective wisdom; Diners, not cooks, should judge quality of meal; Large group harder to corrupt than a small one; Democracy = best of worst.

Rousseau as democrat? “…a genuine Democracy never has existed, and never will exist” (III.4.3) “It is against the natural order that the greater number govern and the smaller number be governed” (III.4.3); Prey to “civil wars and intestine turmoil” (III.4.7); “If there were a people of Gods, they would govern themselves democratically. So perfect a Gov’t is not suited to men” (III.4.8).

So what does Rousseau mean by saying the people are sovereign?

Freedom is like robust food, or wine: not for all peoples (DOI, Epistle); ‘…not within the reach of every people’ (SC, III.8.1).

On what distinction does Rousseau’s skepticism about democracy rest? (Hint: sovereignty is democratic)

Aristocratic republic 3 kinds aristocracy: Natural, elective, hereditary Rousseau prefers elective DOI Dedicatory epistle: people elect the best as their officials “the best and most natural order is to have the wisest govern the multitude, so long as it is certain that they will govern if for its advantage and not for their own” (III.5.7). “moderation among the rich and contentment among the poor” (approaching equality, but not “rigorous”) (III.5.9).

Question It seems puzzling that Rousseau, who is very much in favour of freedom and liberty, should side with Aristocracy as the best form of government.  Although he points out the dangers of democracy as well as those of Aristocracy and Monarchy, why should it be better for a single person to act on behalf of the majority?  Surely it follows that the general will is best understood by the general population who, when acting together, devolve power from a potentially corrupt leader.  He claims that the problems associated with Aristocracies are easier to spot and prevent than those of democracy--is this not merely a baseless assumption?

Rousseau's Confucianism A short note on Rousseau's Confucianism

Aristocratic republic (gov’t): the best should rule People elect the best as officials (DOI Epistle Dedicatory, par. 11) “the best and most natural order is to have the wisest govern the multitude, so long as it is certain that they will govern it for its advantage and not for their own” (SC, III.5.7). “moderation among the rich and contentment among the poor”; Does Rousseau differ from Confucius?

Government: Aristocracy Sovereign: The People

Degeneration of sovereignty, social pact Suspension of assemblies Estates General of France 17th-18th centuries; Usurpation of sovereign authority by Gov’t: Struggle b/w Gov’t and Sovereign (III.10.1) Increase in wealth, size; Increase in private diversions; Citizens disregard Res publica, public thing; Mercenaries fight wars (III.15).

‘The body politic just like the body of a man, Begins to die as soon as it is born and carries within itself the causes of its destruction’ (III.11.2).

The Body Politic Life principle (Qi) ‘resides in the Sovereign authority’ Brain = executive power Heart = legislative power (i.e. power to make laws) Legislative power, not laws; laws may change Tacit consent may be presumed Ancient laws acquire respect

Sovereignty cannot be represented In best state, public business takes precedence over private Deputies, MPs = expedient So people do not have to concern themselves w/ res publica ‘The English people thinks it is free; it is greatly mistaken, it is free only during the election of Members of Parliament; as soon as they are elected, it is enslaved, it is nothing’ (III.15.5) Greeks: ‘constantly assembled in the public square…its chief business was its freedom’ (III.15.9). But they did have slaves to do the work!

Degeneration, cont. Social bond loosens Officials proliferate Factions, parties proliferate Esp. when one faction is dominant (II.3.3): “the result you have is no longer the sum of small differences, but one single difference”; “the opinion that prevails is nothing but a private opinion”; That of a tyrant.

Can the SC be dissolved? Yes, see III.10.6 Problem: Can the SC be dissolved? Yes, see III.10.6