Jean - Jacques Rousseau and the Social Contract
The political impact of Rousseau's ideas
Rousseau's inability to influence the American Revolution compared to John Locke and Thomas Paine
Rousseau 's social and political concepts from the Social Contract had a limited influence upon the American War of Independence / American Revolution, although the ideas of Thomas Paine and John Locke had a greater impact on the American leadership. The American War of Independence was largely fought to end British control than to introduce radical or revolutionary social and political changes, it was a conservative change of power caused by disputes over taxation.
Rousseau's influence on the fall of the Ancien Regime and the French Revolution
Rousseau's main social, philosophical, and political objectives were the following, the promotion of liberalism which was combined with arguing in favour of replacing the Ancien Regime in france.
The concepts of the Social Contract had the greatest influence on revolutionary France, especially ideas on equality and the general will. Revolutionary France formally abolished most of the inequalities that had existed during the Ancien Regime, its leaders seemingly well versed in the social theories of the Social Contract. Revolutionary France abolished the monarchy and the aristocracy thus making all French men legally equals if not economically so. Rousseau did not argue that women should have the same legal rights and social or economic equality as men.
The Social Contract did not seek to end slavery, although the arguments put forward against absolutist monarchy could also be used in favour of abolishing slavery.
Rousseau's influence over the concept of equality
The concept of equality was easily used to support liberal or even socialist policies. The French Revolution would take the means to achieve equality to extremes. Rousseau may have detested the Ancien Regime yet it is debatable if he would of supported all the policies adopted as part of the French Revolution, particularly during the reign of terror. Rousseau was arguably a liberal whose ideas were misused by people more politically extreme than himself.
Rousseau's concept of the general will
Rousseau though realised that often to achieve republican regimes that sacrifices needed to be made, and that monarchies or authoritarian regimes would have to be violently overthrown if they did not vow to the general will of their respective subjects. Rousseau did not convincingly clarify how the general will was to be understood and followed, the concept can be used to support democracy yet could also be manipulated by authoritarian groups.
References
Hobsbawm E, (1962) The Age of Revolution 1789 - 1848
Roberts J M (1996) the Penguin History of europe
