Impact Of The Social Contract By William Rousseau

The Social Contract (1762), also titled Of The Social Contract, Or Principles of the Political Right, is a book written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which outlines the concept of “general will” (the collective ideas and contributions of all people), the contradictory nature of “slavery” and “rights” within society, and provides an outline for a government that effectively governs without exploiting the entitled rights of its citizens, for the benefit of a few. The Social Contract embodies many of the ideas set forth during the Enlightenment, and indeed, engendered much of the ideology that came about during the French Revolution (1789-1799). Specifically, this book focuses on the Enlightenment ideals of individualism and personal freedom, and lays framework for Revolutionary thought by challenging the traditional models power possessed by the French Government. The Social Contract personifies the ideas and ideals of Enlightenment through its focus on individualism as a means to change society, and of Revolution, through its radical notion that citizens should be represented through their “General Will” (will of the people as a whole), and not by all-powerful Monarchies or churches.

Pre-Revolution France was dominated by extremely powerful Clergy and Monarchal Governments ruled by kings and aristocrats. This stranglehold on power, as well as complete control over economic goods, allowed the upper-classes to thrive and flourish, even as the masses suffered through poor harvests and the after-effects of war (both “The Seven Years War” and “The American Revolution” had huge economic impacts on France). Growing resentment amongst French citizens, coupled with a desire for equality and the ability to do more than survive, opened the door for The Social Contract to influence social