State of Nature is not a zero sum game; there is plenty for all.
3. Human beings are naturally free and caring.
D. Emergence of society became necessary due to increasing population and scarcity of resources.
E. Society is a human convention, created as a replacement to natural life by free will.
F. The emergence of social life for simple utility soon gave way to conjugal love and personal affection--the beginning of morality.
G. But need for economic efficiency produced a division of labor, and with it, social classes and the loss of natural freedom of the individual.
A. Society, then, is a violation of the essential human being.
B. The ideal polity must respect both the natural freedom and equality of the individual and nurture social standards and norms through a moral code.
C. A "social contract" is the ideal polity in which society is formed around common interests, of which every individual agrees, and society refrains from intruding into private interests.
1. Common interest called the "General Will."
2. In the "good" community, individuals essentially obey themselves.
D. Structural components of the ideal polity: popular assemblies decide laws by majority vote; an executive branch implements the laws; executive can be recalled by the popular assemblies at any time.
A . Weaknesses in the liberal spirit of Rousseau's thought become apparent in the concept of the General Will.
B. Great Legislator--an absolutely wise and virtuous leader--is needed to monitor social problems, define the General Will, and persuade all individuals to respect the common interest.
C. Religion, as defined by the Great Legislator, inculcates social values and can be used to screen out unacceptable individuals.
D. The state, made perfect by the Great Legislator and religion, becomes the "sovereign."
E. The sovereign represents absolute Truth of the General Will and thus need not tolerate ...