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In my previous two posts in this series, I explained why Rawls’s original position is just a dressed-up version of Rousseau’s general will in disguise (see here) and why Rawls’s approach to liberty is, at bottom, no different than Rousseau’s … Continue reading →

In a previous post, I explained why Rawls’s original position is a dressed-up version of Rousseau’s general will in disguise (see here). Today, I will explain why Rawls’s approach to liberty is, at bottom, no different than Rousseau’s. First off, … Continue reading →

Three words: best show ever!

I concluded my previous post thus: “… Rawls and Rousseau are alike in two profound ways. One is that Rawls’s definition of liberty, deep down, is really no different than Rousseau’s. The other is that Rawls’s ‘original position’, in form … Continue reading →

In my previous post, I concluded my series on the seductive but dangerous Jean-Jacques Rousseau with the following observation: “… we are not yet done with Rousseau, not by a mile, for a major 20th century political philosopher would not … Continue reading →

“To protect the social compact from being a mere empty formula, therefore, it silently includes the undertaking that anyone who refuses to obey the general will is to be compelled to do so by the whole body. This single item … Continue reading →

In my previous post, we compared and contrasted Rousseau’s idea of the “general will” with traditional majority rule. According to Rousseau, the general will is aimed at the common good, while majority rule (the “will of all”) is just the … Continue reading →

“Man was/is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One who believes himself the master of others is nonetheless a greater slave than they.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau [1] So, what is Rousseau’s solution to the paradox of politics? In brief, … Continue reading →

Before we resume my survey of the paradox of politics, let’s recap three major motifs in Rousseau’s Second Discourse, themes that still resonate with many people, especially progressives, today: In short, where James Madison, John Stuart Mill, and Alexis de … Continue reading →

In honor of Paul Walker, who died on this day (30 Nov.) in 2013.