Rousseau's Social Contract Notes

Religion and The State

Rousseau explores the relationship between religion and the state, defining religion as a link to the ultimate (cult) and to each other (culture).
Initially, religion and the state are united, as seen in Paganism and ancient Greece, where gods are tied to the regime.
Judaism introduces a separation, elevating the religious above the political with a transcendent God.
Christianity widens this divide, prioritizing the divine and viewing politics as instrumental, posing a challenge to good politics because Christians may prioritize divine will over the General Will.

Christianity's emphasis on a good outside the body politic conflicts with the General Will, hindering social cohesion.
Citizens' differing beliefs about salvation can disrupt peace and culture within the body politic.
Any religion that places the ultimate good above the city poses a fundamental problem for politics.

Rousseau suggests solutions like a Roman-style civic religion or reinterpreting religion as simple inward faith.
However, he critiques these, noting the potential for incredulity and difficulty in enforcing civic responsibility.

In Rousseau's ideal regime, civil religion aligns with the General Will.
Citizens have inward freedom of belief as long as it doesn't harm others.
Civil religion equates divine will with the General Will, differing from Roman civil religion by not placing God above the General Will.
Citizens determine divine will, embodying it themselves.

Origin of Politics: Transition from the State of Nature to political life, influenced by the Will of All, Reason, and Conventions (1st & 2nd).
1st Convention: Humans gain an "ego" to choose what they think is good via reason.
(\text{Ego})
2nd Convention: Restores what was good in the S of N (State of Nature) with reason.
End of Political Life: Achieving Liberty and Equality under the General Will.
Liberty: Is the ultimate aim and requires equality.