The Social Contract · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The endnotes provide clarifications and expansions on key concepts from the main text, including the definition of the general will, the nature of citizenship, the role of the legislator, and the characteristics of legitimate government.
What happens
The endnotes provide clarifications and expansions on key concepts from the main text, including the definition of the general will, the nature of citizenship, the role of the legislator, and the characteristics of legitimate government. They also include critical commentary on other thinkers such as Grotius, Machiavelli, and Calvin, and offer historical examples from Rome, Venice, and other states to illustrate Rousseau's arguments about liberty, equality, and the decline of political bodies.
Themes in this chapter
The General Will
Clarified that the term 'general will' means will having a general (universal) object, not merely will held by several persons; it must be both general in object and in subject.
Liberty and Equality
Discussed in the context of equality under bad governments being only apparent and illusory, serving to keep the poor in poverty and the rich in usurped positions; the social state is advantageous only when all have something and none too much.
Sovereignty and Government
Explained that legitimate government must be directed by the general will (the law) and be the minister of the Sovereign, not one with it; even a monarchy can be a Republic in such a case.
Decline and Corruption of the State
Addressed through examples such as the Roman Republic's early death due to special causes, and the tendency of governments to degenerate; the death of the body politic is inevitable.
Characters to notice
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Author of the Social Contract; provides extensive commentary and clarifications in the endnotes.
- Hugo Grotius
Criticized for treating learned inquiries into public right as merely the history of past abuses.
- Niccolò Machiavelli
Quoted on divisions in a republic and on the necessity for a legislator to have recourse to God; defended as a proper man and good citizen whose hidden aim was love of liberty.
- Montesquieu
Referenced for his work on the greatness and decadence of the Romans.
- John Calvin
Praised for his genius in codifying wise edicts and for his role in promoting patriotism and liberty.
- Cato the Elder
Cited for his scrupulousness regarding the military oath and the right of war among the Romans.
- Tacitus
Quoted on the best way to find out what is good and bad, and on the false notion of humanity as a part of slavery.
- Romulus
Mentioned in the context of the Roman Republic's mixed government and its early deterioration into despotism.
Key passages
“The term “general” will means, in Rousseau, not so much “will held by several persons,” as will having a general (universal) object.”
Rousseau's 'general will' refers to a will that aims at the common good, not just a will shared by many individuals.
Clarifies a common misunderstanding about the nature of the general will.
“Under bad governments, this equality is only apparent and illusory: it serves only to keep the pauper in his poverty and the rich man in the position he has usurped.”
In corrupt regimes, equality is a sham that maintains the poor in poverty and the rich in their unjustly acquired wealth.
Highlights the critique of false equality under unjust governments.
“To be legitimate, the government must be, not one with the Sovereign, but its minister.”
For a government to be legitimate, it must act as the servant of the Sovereign, not as the Sovereign itself.
Defines the proper relationship between government and sovereign authority.
“Macchiavelli was a proper man and a good citizen; but, being attached to the court of the Medici, he could not help veiling his love of liberty in the midst of his country’s oppression.”
Machiavelli was a virtuous and patriotic man who, due to his ties to the Medici court, had to conceal his true commitment to liberty while his country was under tyranny.
Rousseau defends Machiavelli's intentions and interprets his works as a veiled critique of oppression.
