Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that humans are inherently good and that society corrupts individuals
. He also believed in individual freedom and equality, which governments should preserve
. His other beliefs and ideas include:
- Social Contract Rousseau believed in a social contract between the government and the people, giving the government the power to rule while protecting individual freedoms and rights
. He thought the government should act in accordance with the general will of the people
. By joining in civil society through a social contract, individuals can preserve themselves and remain free
- General Will Rousseau's theory of political legitimacy is based on the notion of the general will, which protects individuals against the masses and requires loyalty to the good of all
. Laws should align with the general will so that citizens respect the state and each other
- State of Nature Rousseau believed that humans once lived in a "state of nature" where they were isolated, free, and virtuous
- Inequality Rousseau argued that private property is the source of inequality
. He claimed that living with others generates jealousy, pride, and competition, which is made worse by private property and the government that protects it
- Education Rousseau proposed an education system that allows for the development of the individual
. He advocated for child-centered approaches to education to allow for the most individual freedom and to give people the best chance at being true to themselves
- Human Nature Rousseau advanced the idea that human nature is essentially good but tends to be corrupted by society
. He believed humans care too much about the opinions of others, leading to a false sense of self and a destruction of true freedom
