Rousseau andTocqueville Philosohy

Rousseau critiques Hobbes and Locke for failing to consider man's true nature in isolation.
- Argues that they lower standards of existence from perfection to mere survival and self-interest.
- Claims a community based only on self-interest is fundamentally flawed, as true sacrifice for one another requires a higher principle.

Rousseau posits that man's inherent nature is independent and happy when in the state of nature.
- As man develops preferences, he becomes dissatisfied and feels a fracture in his soul.
- The government should strive to restore feelings of independence and happiness.

The government should promote independent thinkers and actors by:
- Educating individuals about the consequences of their actions without resorting to lies or deception.
- Encouraging personal experiments in knowledge to reveal its intrinsic value.
- Promoting critical thinking by questioning one’s own perceptions.

Determining universal sources of happiness can be complex; individual preferences vary.
- Example used: the type of movie suitable for a first date (e.g., romantic comedies or chick flicks).
- Highlights that romantic films depict an idealized notion of love and relationships.
Rousseau discusses gender perceptions of love:
- He observes women believe in love and its existence, hence their preference for romantic narratives, whereas men often fake belief for ulterior motives.
This belief in love is utilized to enhance societal happiness:
- Rousseau uses the metaphor of finding a soulmate to illustrate how genuine love leads to happiness and familial bonds.

Rousseau argues that:
- Families form the bedrock of communities, promoting sacrificial bonds as members are willing to die for their loved ones.
- Relationships beyond families extend connections, fostering community ties and shared commitments.

Rousseau advocates for a legitimate government that enhances independence and happiness:
- Forms of government:
- Direct democracy where all adults partake in decision-making.
- Representative democracy for larger populations, but he emphasizes direct democracy is superior when feasible.
- Direct Democracy:
- Each adult votes on local issues (e.g., town hall voting).
- Seen as legitimate and fosters compliance as laws stem from the will of the people.
When direct democracy is impracticable due to size or logistics, representative democracy is acceptable until conditions allow for direct methods.
- Example: Alaska's vast size presents challenges, allowing for representative systems.

Rousseau promotes the idea of constant revolution to ensure independence and happiness.
- Encourages individuals to question their satisfaction in various aspects of life daily and to enact changes as needed.
- Suggests revolution should be a consistent state of mind, promoting personal agency.

Love as a critical factor in happiness.
Family as the foundational unit for social community.
Government should ideally be a direct democracy, fostering independence.
Revolution is necessary to maintain and assert individual happiness and independence.

Tocqueville, a notable French thinker, investigates democracy in America post-French Revolution.
- Tasked with exploring if democracy could be adopted in other societies and its potential forms.

Tocqueville’s writings, such as Democracy in America, analyze the nature of American democracy:
- Predictions include the Civil War and the plight of Native Americans.
- Focus on the societal implications and cultural values shaping democracy.
His assessment extends to economic transitions from agricultural to industrial societies,
- Discusses the resultant changes in labor, social structures, and governmental responsibilities.

Predominant production of necessities (food, clothing) with guaranteed markets.
Farmers have subsistence safety nets allowing them to survive poor harvests.
Develop survival skills, promoting self-reliance and food preservation techniques.

Transition to producing extras (non-essential goods), leading to:
- Lack of guarantees for market demands as fashions and needs change.
- Dependency on public assistance due to loss of subsistence living.
- Necessity for skills related to modern production, reducing traditional practical skills amongst populations.

Industrial lifestyle increases individual vulnerability due to:
- Rising cost of living amidst loss of traditional skills and safety nets.
- Limited time to recover from job loss compared to agricultural lifestyles where subsistence was more feasible.
- Loss of the social safety structure previously found within agrarian communities.

Tocqueville's examination of American democracy includes:
- Core traits of freedom and equality as foundational pillars.
- Need for ongoing revolution and questioning societal norms to maintain personal and collective happiness.
Upcoming discussions will further explore these themes, alongside contrasting views from Nietzsche and implications for modern socio-economic policies.