Summary
Summary International Political Theory IPC3701 - Jean-Jacques Rousseau () Essay
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- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau () Essay
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IntroductionJean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) is one of the most influential
philosophers from the Enlightenment (18th century) era. Rousseau’s
greatest contribution to the theory of international politics pertains to the
problem of war and peace.
- You can also discuss the main tenets of rationalism
• Dualism (optimism/pronounced pessimism)
• Mutual cooperation
• Power must be administered by an external source
• Achieve a good life
• War is the breakdown of all relations (if occurs must be limited and
humane)
• Accept lesser evils
Rationalism is often associated with modern liberal concepts. With
principles that advocate; a higher degree of optimism, the acceptance or
rationalisation of conflict or behaviour in certain situations, and the
mutual need for cooperation, Rationalists were able to interpret the
international society as a society that placed immense merit on the
solutions that excluded war and advocated for mutuality.
- You can also give context of the period.
• Rousseau’s ideas on the international community are based on his
ideas on the relationship between man and society.
• Writings on society were radicalized and influenced the French
Revolution.
Man and Society/state
• Rousseau’s ideas on man and society are also called a ‘state of
nature’.
, • Rousseau’s state of nature explains that only few people’s needs
are catered for, therefore the majority are neglected.
• People are defined by: the need for independence, involvement
(lack of self-interest), living in abundance, compassion, and
achieving self-preservation through fulfilling basic needs.
• Society is where: people are forced to interact with others at some
point. This interaction is mitigated by a set of rules/contract.
Therefore civil society (the interaction of people) is created.
• People by nature would much rather be isolated but because they
cannot fulfill their basic needs on their own in general (i.e. the need
to buy food in a market), the situation forces them to make contact
with other people.
• Society is decadent and hedonistic. (Contrast to human nature
which finds contentment in fulfilling their basic needs.) Humans
living in society are constantly faced with moral contradictions and
shame and therefore experience internal conflict (human nature is
simple and rewarding however society pushes humans to over
indulge).
• Society is evil and produces violence and corruption.
• “Forced into a moral awareness, deprived of all moral fulfillment”.
• By coming into contact with others, they can understand what it
means to control themselves and their own future.
• BUT by coming into contact with others, they have compromised
their original independence and innocence.
• These people then come into contact with violence that has been
manifested by others who are psychologically scarred by the loss
of their independence and innocence.
• Violence in society is useful because it takes the violence out of
human nature.
• But violence in a society has more drastic and widespread effects.
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