Philosopher · 1712–1778
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Political views on the 12 axes
Argued that legitimate power comes only from the people's general will and that private property and civilisation bred inequality and corrupted human nature.
Read more on WikipediaAbout Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778) was a philosopher and writer born in Geneva who spent most of his life in France. His Discourse on Inequality (1755) traced social inequality to private property, and The Social Contract (1762) argued that only laws made by the people as a whole are legitimate. Émile, a novel on education, was banned and burned in Paris and Geneva. Supporters credit him with founding the idea of popular sovereignty that inspired modern democracy; critics argue that his 'general will' can be used to silence dissent.
Where Jean-Jacques Rousseau stands
Our estimate from their writing and record. Axes they took no clear view on are left out.
Federal
Thought freedom thrived only in small republics and suggested that larger states be organised as confederations of such communities, as in his plan for Poland.
Liquid Democracy
In The Social Contract sovereignty belongs to the people and cannot be handed to representatives; laws bind only if the citizens themselves make them.
Centrist
Placed freedom at the heart of politics, yet wrote that whoever refuses the general will 'shall be forced to be free', so he lands near the middle.
Non-Interventionist
Urged Poles to cultivate national customs and patriotic love of country, yet also wrote on plans for perpetual peace in Europe, landing near the middle.
Neutral
Condemned the wars of kings but wanted every citizen to be a soldier in a militia, as in his proposals for Poland, so he sits near the middle.
Limited Trade
In his constitutional project for Corsica he wanted the island to live from its own farming and depend as little as possible on foreign trade.
Socialist
His Discourse on Inequality blamed private property for the miseries of society, and he wanted no citizen rich enough to buy another.
Moderate
Rejected church dogma in the Savoyard Vicar's creed in Émile, but proposed a civil religion of belief in God and an afterlife, placing him near the middle.
Moderate
His ideas on popular sovereignty were radical, yet he praised simple manners, rural life and the austere virtue of ancient Sparta, so he lands near the middle.
Decelerationist
His Discourse on the Sciences and Arts (1750) argued that progress in science and the arts had corrupted morals, a strong pull toward Bioconservative.
Close in thought
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Questions, answered
What are Jean-Jacques Rousseau's political views on the 12 axes?
Argued that legitimate power comes only from the people's general will and that private property and civilisation bred inequality and corrupted human nature. Where Jean-Jacques Rousseau took a clear view. Structure: Federal; Representation: Liquid Democracy; Power: Centrist; Diplomacy: Non-Interventionist; Military: Neutral; Trade: Limited Trade; Economy: Socialist; Religion: Moderate; Culture: Moderate; Technology: Decelerationist.
How are Jean-Jacques Rousseau's positions estimated?
They are our editorial estimates from Jean-Jacques Rousseau's writing and record, from 0 to 100 on each axis. Axes they took no clear view on are left out.
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