The most appealing ideas in the Social Contract are the keys to a perfect state. Rousseau states the keys are as follows (paraphrased): (1) that the state is small enough that people know one another and can be quickly brought together, (2) that there are no “thorny business problems”, (3) that there is equality in rank and fortune, and (4) that there is no luxury to corrupt the citizens.
The least appealing aspect of the Social Contract is the need for squashing any ideas which do not immediately follow the General Will.
Hi, It's appealing to think that all people decide on laws together, and that general will ultimately rules all. Rousseau says we all think on behalf of the common good, since we are each part of the whole; however, he kind of goes back on that--basically, we all want the same thing, but we don't know what that is, so we need someone to tell us. And then he says that the legislator has to remake us, essentially, so we are of the same essence and all fall into compliance. That way, we all want the same thing--but do we really want it???? ?!?!??!?!?!? We do want it, because compliance ensures mutual safety, and on and on, so we best preserve the state that's been created; whether it's the best state isn't an issue.
The most appealing idea of the social contract is the efficiency that it provides. In it, the people are obliged to act in a manner that is directly beneficial to the welfare of society. Though Rousseau has a rather idealistic view, perhaps it would not be too much to ask citizens to put the state before themselves at least in some regards.
The least appealing is that the state can force people to do something against their individual will. Actions like this absolutely quash creativity and any kind of factional evolution that might lead to the betterment of the state.
I think the most appealing idea in The Social Contract is the idea of the common good-- although it has its faults, the idea behind it is really beneficial. The general will, which works in favor of the common good, is also really appealing (although those in the minority may feel that it is totalitarian, because you can't go against the 'common good'). The least appealing idea in The Social Contract is that you can be 'forced to be free'-- I know that this goes along with the general will, but the minority can be oppressed by the majority when their views differ from the majority, and that doesn't seem appealing at all. I know that my most appealing and least appealing ideas contradict each other, but I believe that the one side is equally as beneficial as the other is detrimental.
Rousseau's idea that the people have the right to make decisions as a whole sovereign, as opposed to the idea that the king has a divine right to rule, is very appealing. Rousseau empowers the people to make decisions in the government and recognize the power that the people and the greater good can have. The least appealing idea in The Social Contract is that the sovereign and the government should be separate. Rousseau would like to have the sovereign, representing the general will, and the government separate. It is unfortunate that the sovereign is not able to have a say in all the branches of government because Rousseau does not believe that the sovereign can handle dealing with the general will and particular wills.
What I find to be one of Rousseau's most appealing ideas is the distinction he makes between true and untrue authority. By this I mean his idea that "even if scattered individuals were successively enslaved by one man...I still see no more than a master and his slaves, and certainly not a people and its ruler." Rousseau believes true authority stems from one who "transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty. However, this idea leads to Rousseau's view of a people who puts the general will over thew individual will, i.e. duty and right. This aspect is actually what I find least appealing, as the expectations Rousseau sets for the population is unrealistic and unachievable.
I think its pretty cool but also pretty strange on how Rousseau proposes that everyone should be able to have a say in the bigger picture BUT as long as it falls into the General WIll that will push society into the light and makes the society gooder.
It is not appealing because if that was to be practiced it would fail miserably. Someone once asked me if I was going to vote Republican even if it was a candidate I didn't like and they said that I better vote Republican even if I dont like that candidate.
Most Appealing: I find the concept of the general will and Rousseau's proposed application of the general will is the most appealing of Rousseau's ideas. I find Rousseau's structure to be inspiring. The idea that people can put aside their individual desires and propensity towards vice to act in the best interest of the state.
Least Appealing: I think the idea that people can be forced to be free, against their own particular will can be very daunting. If the general will were to be practiced as Rousseau describes and with noble intentions, then forcing someone to be "free" and therefore forcing him or her to act within the laws that promote the general will would have no problematic repercussions. However, if there are any corrupt members of the group, that then lead the general will in their own favor, the forceful application of freedom could be very dangerous. And since you are not allowed to rebel against the general will, these individuals could become trapped.
The most appealing ideas of the Social Contrast I find to be quite obvious. The notion of General Will is whatever is the most beneficial for the general public. This does not just value the majority but it take into account the best option for the people as a whole. Although this can create an unsatisfied majority, it will provide the society with the most favorable outcome.
The least appealing ideas of the Social Contrast, in my opinion, is the division between the Sovereign and the government. The two branches are destined to be in a constant state of disagreement and without the checks and balances, that is displayed in other theories, this separation will ultimately fail every time.
What are/is the most appealing idea(s) in "The Social Contract"? The most appeal idea in "The Social Contract" is probably the idea of the perfect state. Part of Rousseau's idea of the perfect state, is similar to the state that Montesquieu proposed, in that the state is an ideal size so that every party is represented equally. Then within that state, because it is the the ideal size, there will be no governmental problems with equality for all. Every man in the state will have the same amount of property so that there will be no jealously of private property, which would most likely create arguments.
What is/are the least appealing? The least appealing idea that Rousseau has, is the idea that he can force people to gain or have their own freedom or general will. I would be nearly impossible to place an entire population of individuals under one "umbrella".
i enjoy his ideas of citizenship and suffrage. the basis that you must agree to protect the rights of others to have rights. you must give up a bit of freedom and liberty to get freedom and liberty. it really solidifies the idea that the system is an unnatural creation, and people cannot simply band together by inclination without law or reason.
i think that idea that social unity is an unnatural creation certainly gives his work continuity, i do not really agree with that portion of the work. i feel that people do naturally band together, and the common man understands a system in which one hand washes the other, or in this case, one person protects another.
The most appealing ideas in the Social Contract are the keys to a perfect state. Rousseau states the keys are as follows (paraphrased): (1) that the state is small enough that people know one another and can be quickly brought together, (2) that there are no “thorny business problems”, (3) that there is equality in rank and fortune, and (4) that there is no luxury to corrupt the citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe least appealing aspect of the Social Contract is the need for squashing any ideas which do not immediately follow the General Will.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIt's appealing to think that all people decide on laws together, and that general will ultimately rules all. Rousseau says we all think on behalf of the common good, since we are each part of the whole; however, he kind of goes back on that--basically, we all want the same thing, but we don't know what that is, so we need someone to tell us. And then he says that the legislator has to remake us, essentially, so we are of the same essence and all fall into compliance. That way, we all want the same thing--but do we really want it????
?!?!??!?!?!?
We do want it, because compliance ensures mutual safety, and on and on, so we best preserve the state that's been created; whether it's the best state isn't an issue.
The most appealing idea of the social contract is the efficiency that it provides. In it, the people are obliged to act in a manner that is directly beneficial to the welfare of society. Though Rousseau has a rather idealistic view, perhaps it would not be too much to ask citizens to put the state before themselves at least in some regards.
ReplyDeleteThe least appealing is that the state can force people to do something against their individual will. Actions like this absolutely quash creativity and any kind of factional evolution that might lead to the betterment of the state.
I think the most appealing idea in The Social Contract is the idea of the common good-- although it has its faults, the idea behind it is really beneficial. The general will, which works in favor of the common good, is also really appealing (although those in the minority may feel that it is totalitarian, because you can't go against the 'common good').
ReplyDeleteThe least appealing idea in The Social Contract is that you can be 'forced to be free'-- I know that this goes along with the general will, but the minority can be oppressed by the majority when their views differ from the majority, and that doesn't seem appealing at all. I know that my most appealing and least appealing ideas contradict each other, but I believe that the one side is equally as beneficial as the other is detrimental.
Rousseau's idea that the people have the right to make decisions as a whole sovereign, as opposed to the idea that the king has a divine right to rule, is very appealing. Rousseau empowers the people to make decisions in the government and recognize the power that the people and the greater good can have.
ReplyDeleteThe least appealing idea in The Social Contract is that the sovereign and the government should be separate. Rousseau would like to have the sovereign, representing the general will, and the government separate. It is unfortunate that the sovereign is not able to have a say in all the branches of government because Rousseau does not believe that the sovereign can handle dealing with the general will and particular wills.
What I find to be one of Rousseau's most appealing ideas is the distinction he makes between true and untrue authority. By this I mean his idea that "even if scattered individuals were successively enslaved by one man...I still see no more than a master and his slaves, and certainly not a people and its ruler." Rousseau believes true authority stems from one who "transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty. However, this idea leads to Rousseau's view of a people who puts the general will over thew individual will, i.e. duty and right. This aspect is actually what I find least appealing, as the expectations Rousseau sets for the population is unrealistic and unachievable.
ReplyDeleteI think its pretty cool but also pretty strange on how Rousseau proposes that everyone should be able to have a say in the bigger picture BUT as long as it falls into the General WIll that will push society into the light and makes the society gooder.
ReplyDeleteIt is not appealing because if that was to be practiced it would fail miserably. Someone once asked me if I was going to vote Republican even if it was a candidate I didn't like and they said that I better vote Republican even if I dont like that candidate.
Most Appealing:
ReplyDeleteI find the concept of the general will and Rousseau's proposed application of the general will is the most appealing of Rousseau's ideas. I find Rousseau's structure to be inspiring. The idea that people can put aside their individual desires and propensity towards vice to act in the best interest of the state.
Least Appealing:
I think the idea that people can be forced to be free, against their own particular will can be very daunting. If the general will were to be practiced as Rousseau describes and with noble intentions, then forcing someone to be "free" and therefore forcing him or her to act within the laws that promote the general will would have no problematic repercussions. However, if there are any corrupt members of the group, that then lead the general will in their own favor, the forceful application of freedom could be very dangerous. And since you are not allowed to rebel against the general will, these individuals could become trapped.
The most appealing ideas of the Social Contrast I find to be quite obvious. The notion of General Will is whatever is the most beneficial for the general public. This does not just value the majority but it take into account the best option for the people as a whole. Although this can create an unsatisfied majority, it will provide the society with the most favorable outcome.
ReplyDeleteThe least appealing ideas of the Social Contrast, in my opinion, is the division between the Sovereign and the government. The two branches are destined to be in a constant state of disagreement and without the checks and balances, that is displayed in other theories, this separation will ultimately fail every time.
What are/is the most appealing idea(s) in "The Social Contract"?
ReplyDeleteThe most appeal idea in "The Social Contract" is probably the idea of the perfect state. Part of Rousseau's idea of the perfect state, is similar to the state that Montesquieu proposed, in that the state is an ideal size so that every party is represented equally. Then within that state, because it is the the ideal size, there will be no governmental problems with equality for all. Every man in the state will have the same amount of property so that there will be no jealously of private property, which would most likely create arguments.
What is/are the least appealing?
The least appealing idea that Rousseau has, is the idea that he can force people to gain or have their own freedom or general will. I would be nearly impossible to place an entire population of individuals under one "umbrella".
i enjoy his ideas of citizenship and suffrage. the basis that you must agree to protect the rights of others to have rights. you must give up a bit of freedom and liberty to get freedom and liberty. it really solidifies the idea that the system is an unnatural creation, and people cannot simply band together by inclination without law or reason.
ReplyDeletei think that idea that social unity is an unnatural creation certainly gives his work continuity, i do not really agree with that portion of the work. i feel that people do naturally band together, and the common man understands a system in which one hand washes the other, or in this case, one person protects another.