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Equality as a Condition of Freedom

The Social Contract

This flow traces Rousseau’s argument that political equality need not erase differences, but must prevent wealth and power from creating personal dependence.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
Convention Makes Equal CitizensConvention Makes Equal Citizens from "The Social Contract". Convention Makes Equal Citizens Natural Differences Remain People may differ in strength and intelligence.
Convention Makes Equal Citizens Natural Differences Remain People may differ in strength and intelligence. The compact does not make their physical capacities identical. Legal Equality Established Political convention makes members equal in status and right. Shared citizenship counters inequalities that otherwise become political domination.
Power Must Not Become ViolencePower Must Not Become Violence from "The Social Contract". Power Must Not Become Violence Equality Defined Politically Rousseau does not demand equal quantities of power or wealth.
Power Must Not Become Violence Equality Defined Politically Rousseau does not demand equal quantities of power or wealth. He requires that no one possess enough power to use violence without legal constraint. Institutions Sustain Balance Legislation must resist the forces that continually erode equality. Equality is an ongoing public task, not a fixed natural condition.
Wealth Must Not Buy PersonsWealth Must Not Buy Persons from "The Social Contract". Wealth Must Not Buy Persons Dependence Forbidden Rousseau’s measure of economic equality is whether the rich can buy another and the poor are forced to sell…
Wealth Must Not Buy Persons Dependence Forbidden Rousseau’s measure of economic equality is whether the rich can buy another and the poor are forced to sell themselves. The issue is domination, not arithmetic sameness. Liberty’s Material Basis Extreme fortunes undermine formal equal rights by creating dependence. Political freedom requires attention to social and economic conditions.
Legislation Resists DriftLegislation Resists Drift from "The Social Contract". Legislation Resists Drift Inequality Grows Naturally Circumstances tend continually to destroy equality, Rousseau argues.
Legislation Resists Drift Inequality Grows Naturally Circumstances tend continually to destroy equality, Rousseau argues. That tendency does not excuse political inaction. Law’s Counterforce Legislation should continually restrain the drift toward concentrated wealth and power. Its work is preventative as much as corrective.
Poor Protected, Rich RestrainedPoor Protected, Rich Restrained from "The Social Contract". Poor Protected, Rich Restrained Preventing Dependence Rousseau calls for preventing citizens from becoming poor rather than relying only on charity.
Poor Protected, Rich Restrained Preventing Dependence Rousseau calls for preventing citizens from becoming poor rather than relying only on charity. Public policy should limit the conditions that create extreme wealth and deprivation. Civic Stability A more balanced society supports respect for law, patriotism, and the common will. Economic justice becomes part of preserving the political community.
Book I, Chapter IX, at the close of the first book
Book II, Chapter XI, among the aims of legislation
Book II, Chapter XI, on the limits of economic inequality
Book II, Chapter XI, after equality is called difficult to attain
Discourse on Political Economy, in the discussion of public administration