Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke Their Relevance for...

In Second Treatise on Government and The Social Contract, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau each present and describe their own perceptions of what allows for equality, freedom and democracy. Of the many major ideas developed throughout these texts, the two main distinctions between the two philosophers are natural freedom versus civil freedom and individualism versus collectivism. John Locke, who provided the framework that would allow for liberal democracy, writes that in a state of nature, no one has more power or jurisdiction than another and is naturally free; in order to protect and preserve their lives, men must join a civil society. The sovereignty of the civil society is thus defined by its ability to make laws and protect individuals’ rights. Locke, believes that each individual has a right to life, liberty and property. Private property is so vital to Locke because man earns the right to property through labor which shows that not only are individual rights impor tant, but also advancement of individual interests. Rousseau, however, does not go along with Locke’s idea of individualism. Instead Rousseau’s political philosophy is encapsulated in the idea of the general will and he theorizes that an individual’s freedom is not to do whatever they please, but rather to be able to participate in one’s own government, otherwise known as civil virtue. Due to their similarities and differences, both John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, differ in their relevance forShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of John Locke s The Of The Golden Era Essay1393 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Renaissance and William Shakespeare treated us to the best writings and plays in the English language. Likewise, John Locke is a man who accomplished what many men could not. 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