The great philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau inspired the French Revolution through his ideas based upon reason. He exploring the notion of duty to the state by providing the public with his argument in the social contract, which was frequently quoted and referred to during the early stages of the Revolution.

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.

In his Second Discourse, Rousseau examined the differences between natural man and modern man. He concluded that the natural man's situation is better because, unlike modern man, natural man is not bound by social norms, morals, obligations, and duties. Having no moral relationship or obligation to other men and no subjugated inequality, natural man is better for himself and society.

Rousseau and Locke differ slightly on how the question of sovereignty should be addressed. Rousseau believed that men would essentially destroy themselves due to their "mode of existence and therefore must enter into a government that controls them. Unlike Rousseau, Locke believed firmly in the fact that government should be split up into a legislative branch and a ruling branch, with the legislative branch being appointed as representatives of the people. He contends that people give up the power of their own rule to enter into a more powerful organization that protects life, liberties, property, and fortunes.