Rousseau's The Social Contract

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Rousseau's 'The Social Contract'.

Social Contract

An agreement among individuals to form a political society.

General Will

The collective will constituted by the common interests of all citizens in a society.

Sovereignty

The collective body of citizens responsible for creating the fundamental laws of political society.

Autonomy

The ability to make decisions for oneself based on one's own reasons.

Moral Autonomy

Being constrained in one's actions only by principles which one chooses for oneself.

Political Autonomy

Being a constituent and equal member of the legislative power in society.

State of Nature

The condition of human beings before the establishment of political society.

Inalienable Sovereignty

Legislative power that cannot be abdicated or transferred by the collective body of citizens.

Indivisible Sovereignty

Legislative power that cannot be divided among different groups; includes all citizens.

Political Equality

Each citizen should have voting power and be subject to laws.

Moral Equality

No person is naturally inferior to any other; each individual should only be subject to their own will.

Social Equality

Minimal differences between citizens in terms of wealth, way of living, and culture.

Natural Liberty vs. Civil Liberty

Natural liberty is the freedom to act according to one's own will; civil liberty is the freedom granted by the structure of political society.

Law in Political Society

Must be general and universal, authorized by the sovereign (the collective people).

Collective Body

The assembly of citizens forming the political society responsible for governance.

Self-Sufficiency of Society

A society that is capable of governing itself and providing for its own needs.