"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One thinks himself the master of others, and still remains a greater slave than they. How did this change come about? I do not know. What can make it legitimate? That question I think I can answer."—Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract, 1762 Compared to other Enlightenment thinkers, how did Rousseau's views on the social contract differ?A He believed that the social contract was a literal agreement signed by citizensB He believed that only the educated elite should have a say in governanceC He argued that monarchies were the best form of government for all societiesD He emphasized the general will of the people as the basis for legitimate governance
Question
"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One thinks himself the master of others, and still remains a greater slave than they. How did this change come about? I do not know. What can make it legitimate? That question I think I can answer."—Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract, 1762 Compared to other Enlightenment thinkers, how did Rousseau's views on the social contract differ?A He believed that the social contract was a literal agreement signed by citizensB He believed that only the educated elite should have a say in governanceC He argued that monarchies were the best form of government for all societiesD He emphasized the general will of the people as the basis for legitimate governance
Solution
D. He emphasized the general will of the people as the basis for legitimate governance.
Rousseau's views on the social contract differed from other Enlightenment thinkers in that he emphasized the general will of the people as the basis for legitimate governance. He believed that the social contract was not a literal agreement signed by citizens, but rather an implicit agreement among the people to surrender some of their freedoms in exchange for the protection of their remaining rights. This general will, according to Rousseau, should be the guiding force of the government. This is in contrast to other Enlightenment thinkers who may have favored more elitist or monarchic forms of governance.
Similar Questions
How did Thomas Hobbes's interpretation of the social contract differ from Jean-Jacques Rousseau's?A.Hobbes's interpretation focused on social stability rather than individual freedom.B.Rousseau's interpretation promoted absolute monarchy rather than republicanism.C.Hobbes's interpretation was based on the idea that humans were naturally good.D.Rousseau's interpretation largely rejected the principle of popular sovereignty.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS
Which Enlightenment philosopher introduced the idea that people enter a social contract with the purpose of maintaining order in society? A. Thomas Hobbes B. John Locke C. William Blackstone D. Charles-Louis Montesquieu
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is most closely associated with which belief?A.The people can only be governed if they consent to being governed.B.Social contracts are invalid and should be broken.C.People are naturally good, and their expressed will is what is best for society.D.Governments should be divided into three coequal branches.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS
John Locke's social contract theory was embodied in Group of answer choicesAll of thesethe Intolerable Acts.the Declaration of Independence.the Boston Revolution.None of these
A group of people lives in a chaotic country that has been devastated by war. There is no government or law enforcement, so people are able to kill and steal freely. To bring order to their lives, the people agree to give up their personal freedom and obey the orders of a single leader.This concept is an illustration of which Enlightenment philosopher's ideas?A.Voltaire's theory of the separation of church and stateB.Hobbes's theory of the social contractC.Montesquieu's theory of the separation of powersD.Rousseau's theory of natural rightsSUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.