Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Definition

An influential 18th-century philosopher who believed in direct democracy where everyone votes to express the general will and make laws for the common good.

Analogy

Imagine Rousseau as your class representative who believes that every student should have a say in deciding school rules instead of just letting teachers decide everything. He wants everyone's voice heard because he believes this is how you achieve fairness.

Related terms

Social Contract Theory: The belief that people live together in society according to an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior.

Enlightenment Era: A period in history when philosophical thoughts centered around reason as primary source of authority, promoting ideas such as liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, constitutional government etc.

Direct Democracy: A form of government where citizens vote on laws directly rather than through representatives.