Rousseau – Social Contract

PSC 280 –Worksheet

  1. What does Rousseau say makes it his duty to study public affairs?
  2. “Man is born ______“ (one word)
  3. What is the most ancient of all societies?
  4. The strong have need to transform strength into what?
  5. The strong have need to transform obedience into what?
  6. How does Rousseau interpret / understand Romans 13?
  7. What forms the basis of all legitimate authority among man?
  8. Why was there no war in the state of nature?
  9. The right to slavery is ______because it is ______.
  10. What is substituted for instinct as man comes out of the state of nature?
  11. What two things are gained by the social contract?
  12. What does man acquire in the civil state that allows him to be master of himself?
  13. How does Rousseau see (define) “Liberty?”
  14. Every man has a natural right to what?
  15. What three things establish the right of the first occupier?
  16. What “alone” can direct the state?
  17. The general will is (two words) and tends to the (two words).
  18. Explain the difference between the general will and the will of all.
  19. What does Rousseau mean by the phrase “partial society?”
  20. Who is the sole judge of what is important?
  21. Does Rousseau oppose the death penalty?
  22. “All justice come from ____.”
  23. Does Rousseau believe in a universal justice emanating from reason?
  24. How does Rousseau define “republic?”
  25. What is “government?”
  26. What should happen to the government as the population grows?
  27. But what happens as the number of magistrates increases?
  28. Who should not execute the laws?
  29. Has there ever been a “real” democracy? Why? Or Why not?
  30. Democracies are subject to what two things?
  31. Why are democracies subject to these things (two reasons)?
  32. How did the first societies govern themselves.
  33. What are the three types of aristocracy?
  34. Which is the very worst?
  35. Rousseau says even the “best” kings desire what?
  36. Rousseau says the above truth is taught by what two individuals?
  37. Explain what Rousseau calls and “inevitable defect” in monarchical governments.
  38. What is the greatest disadvantage of monarchy?
  39. Rousseau compares standard religious commentary on kings to a doctor who does what?
  40. “Liberty not being a (four words).”
  41. How does Rousseau relate geography to government?
  42. How does Rousseau answer the question, “What is the best government?”
  43. What is the end (purpose) of political association?
  44. What is the surest sign that end is being accomplished?
  45. Government has a natural propensity to do what?
  46. Which is more vital to the life of the state, the legislative power or the executive?
  47. When is the state not far from its fall when what happens?
  48. “The idea of representation is (one word).”
  49. In a real democracy, magistracy is not an advantage but a (two words).
  50. What followed from the belief that God was every political society?
  51. The gods of the pagans were not “______gods” (one word).
  52. What would have “never occurred” to the pagans?
  53. Who does Rousseau credit for seeing “the evil” of - and “the remedy” for - established religions?
  54. No state has ever been formed without a “______basis” (one word).
  55. What are three types of religion according to Rousseau?
  56. What terms are mutually exclusive?
  57. Rousseau says Christianity preaches what two things?
  58. “True Christians are made to be _____” (one word).
  59. What disappeared when Roman emperors became Christians?
  60. Which religions should be tolerated?

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