PAPM 1000 Final: Question 14

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Public Affairs and Policy Management
• Course: PAPM 1000
• Professor: Marc Andre Gagnon

Document Summary

Compare locke and rousseau on the obligations of citizenship. John locke and jean jacques rousseau have different conceptions of the state of nature and the social contract under which government was created. Although in both their versions, the social contract imposes upon the government and its citizen"s specific responsibilities. I will argue that both political philosophers conclude the principal function of government are to protect the lives, remaining liberties and property rights of its citizens. The philosophies put forward by both are a reflection of the way they see a legitimate political authority and this difference ultimately impacts the way they see roles of citizens within a political society. Locke believes people are fundamentally good, and conceives the original state of nature as happy, and dominated by reason and tolerance, but insecure because it lacks established known laws, which are apportioned by an unbiased judge. Similarly, rousseau views men in their natural state as noble and all people equal.