Summary:
This is an honors college paper that discusses Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in On the Social Contract. In the work there is a definite, but puzzling, distinction between sovereignty and government.
He draws the line between their abilities to perform acts, whether general or particular, concluding that the sovereign may create general rules, but that the government must create the particular rules.
By definition, the sovereign is "The person, body, or state in which independent and supreme authority is vested; especially, in a monarchy, a king, queen, or emperor" (Dictionary.com), therefore it possesses the ability to create rules and laws, as it is the authoritative body of a land. However, being that the sovereign's power comes from the people that it rules over, it should act for the general good of them. Acts such as making general rules that pertain to the public, setting the rules for the qualifications for honors, and setting rules for punishment are examples of the sovereign following the people's general will. The general.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. There are 1,279 words (approx.
4 pages at 300 words per page) in the full essay.
Read the rest of this Essay with our Jean Jacques Rousseau Access Pass.
