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The Degeneration of Government

The Social Contract

This flow traces how delegated government can contract from popular administration into concentrated rule and finally break the political compact.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
Government Has Its Own WillGovernment Has Its Own Will from "The Social Contract". Government Has Its Own Will A Necessary Agent Government must possess coordination and force to execute the laws.
Government Has Its Own Will A Necessary Agent Government must possess coordination and force to execute the laws. It therefore forms a distinct body within the larger State. The Structural Tension Its corporate interests can diverge from the people’s interests. The institution that serves the Sovereign also has reasons to preserve and enlarge its own power.
Executive Power ConcentratesExecutive Power Concentrates from "The Social Contract". Executive Power Concentrates Greater Speed, Greater Risk A smaller magistracy can act more promptly and with greater force.
Executive Power Concentrates Greater Speed, Greater Risk A smaller magistracy can act more promptly and with greater force. Concentration, however, strengthens particular interests within government. A Balance to Maintain The legislator must balance executive energy against the need for public control. The efficient form is not necessarily the safest or most legitimate.
Government ContractsGovernment Contracts from "The Social Contract". Government Contracts A Natural Drift Rousseau describes government as tending to pass from many rulers to fewer: democracy to aristocracy, then potentially to…
Government Contracts A Natural Drift Rousseau describes government as tending to pass from many rulers to fewer: democracy to aristocracy, then potentially to monarchy. The shift reflects growing concentration. Declining Capacity A weakening government may tighten its hold rather than broaden participation. The change can preserve administrative force while diminishing popular authority.
The Prince Usurps SovereigntyThe Prince Usurps Sovereignty from "The Social Contract". The Prince Usurps Sovereignty Public Force Misused When the prince acts on a particular will rather than executing the law, government begins to claim…
The Prince Usurps Sovereignty Public Force Misused When the prince acts on a particular will rather than executing the law, government begins to claim authority belonging to the people. The State Narrows A ruling body forms within the State and treats the rest as subjects under its control. Rousseau regards this as a break in the compact.
Anarchy Names the RuptureAnarchy Names the Rupture from "The Social Contract". Anarchy Names the Rupture Forms of Breakdown Rousseau names the corrupt forms that follow the dissolution of political order: popular government can become mob…
Anarchy Names the Rupture Forms of Breakdown Rousseau names the corrupt forms that follow the dissolution of political order: popular government can become mob rule, aristocracy oligarchy, and royalty tyranny. A Precise Distinction He distinguishes a tyrant who usurps royal office from a despot who places himself above law. Both expose the failure of legitimate authority.
Book III, Chapters I–II
Book III, Chapter II, as the magistracy becomes smaller
Book III, Chapter X, as democracy shifts toward fewer rulers
Book III, Chapter X, when executive authority becomes independent
Book III, Chapter X, after the State dissolves