Jean-Jacques Rousseau: In his book The Social Contract, Rousseau comes up with his theories on government. He believed in what he called “a state of nature” in which people are purely instinctual and harmful, so he says people made a contract with the government to give up some of their individual freedoms in exchange for protection. Since governments get their power from the power it is their duty to do what is best for the general will (that means the most people). To ensure this happens Rousseau calls for a direct democracy where all citizens directly vote on news laws instead of a representative government where elected officials vote.
Charles de Montesquieu: Expanding on the ideas of Locke in his book The Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu added the judiciary branch to Locke’s Executive and Legislative branch. He admired the English system of laws, and wrote on the separation of powers. Montesquieu observed three different forms of government: “republican, monarchial, and despotic.” He further divided republican government into democracy and aristocracy. Of which he dismissed a pure democracy as impossible because they easily become corrupted back into despotism or monarchy, when the feeling of equality and fairness evaporate. In order to ensure that does not happen a healthy judiciary branch is important to keep the other two branches of government in check.
Why is Rousseau in favor of democracy? Why is Montesquieu not?
Montesquieu is thinking that people can be herded to vote in certain ways by folks who lie, cheat, and steal from them, or corrupt them with ideas that sound great but are ridiculously unworkable.
Rousseau seemed to think folks had to be held accountable for protecting their own rights and protection, and it was to sacred to allow others to vote for them.
Well, why? Have you read the articles you posted here. They tell why.
@Reed Yes, I have I just don't understand.
I'm reading over and over, I just don't seem to find the answer.
Any hits? Thanks!
To ensure this happens Rousseau calls for a direct democracy where all citizens directly vote on news laws instead of a representative government where elected officials vote.
Of which he dismissed a pure democracy as impossible because they easily become corrupted back into despotism or monarchy, when the feeling of equality and fairness evaporate.