# Elections explained — The Social Contract

> Chapter companion for The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

## What happens

Rousseau examines the methods of election—choice and lot—and their suitability to different forms of government. He argues that election by lot is natural to democracy, while voting is appropriate for aristocracy, and that neither method applies in monarchy. He also critiques the Venetian government and draws parallels with Geneva, concluding with a reference to Roman assemblies for further illustration.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sovereignty and Government

Election of rulers is a function of government, not sovereignty, distinguishing the two.

### Liberty and Equality

The lot is democratic because it treats all citizens equally and avoids human will.

## Character check-ins

### Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Author and narrator; presents the analysis of electoral methods.

### Montesquieu

Quoted on the democratic nature of election by lot.

## Key lines

> Election by lot is democratic in nature.

Choosing officials by lot is characteristic of democracy.

_Rousseau agrees with Montesquieu but provides his own reasoning._

> In every real democracy, magistracy is not an advantage, but a burdensome charge which cannot justly be imposed on one individual rather than another.

In a true democracy, holding office is a duty, not a privilege, and should be assigned fairly.

_Rousseau justifies the use of lot in democracies as a fair method._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_social_contract_se/chapters/iii-elections
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_social_contract_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_social_contract_se/chapters