How Did Jean Jaques Rousseau Influence American Government

Despite his rejection of philosophy, Jean-Jaques Rousseau was a pivotal new thinker during the period of Enlightenment. He strayed from the extreme positive and negative views of Hobbes and Locke, introducing a new perspective on the concept of the state of nature. The philosophy of how humans act in their most natural state was a common topic, but Rousseau’s take, theorizing that humans are born evil but corrupted by society, offered what seemed to be the most realistic belief. His opinions on effective ruling strategies and the most successful way to raise a child remained relevant, even more so during the forming of the US government. His governing tactics stood as inspiration for multiple aspects, but his most prominent ideas involved
The idea of separation of power stemmed from the concept of a sovereignty, or “the people” having the most important position of power. He declared handing over rights as equal to slavery, and that the people are meant to be powerful. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy describes his thoughts, saying “Instead, he takes the view that to hand over one's general right of ruling oneself to another person or body constitutes a form a slavery, and that to recognize such an authority would amount to an abdication of moral agency.” Rousseau believed that individual rights were of the utmost importance when it came to ensuring the success of a republic. Although currently facing a real danger, human rights were a major factor when forming the US government. Outlined in the Bill of Rights, the rights deemed most important were documented and were made to never be violated. Despite changing laws and and views on who constituted “the people.” Rousseau’s belief of rights of the sovereign rang true with those in charge of birthing the new US
He noted that although the outcome of a child’s formative years is never a guaranteed thing, it is one of the few things that man can control. Rousseau saw children as innocent and good, and as a clean slate. When given the opportunity to raise a child, Rousseau believed that one should treat them freely, allowing them to grow by themselves. He noted that while children should be protected from harm, physical or emotional, they should be free to discover their individual morals, and how they will treat others. Education remains a vital part of a person’s life in the modern era as well. Rousseau also valued the innocence he saw in children, saying “A child ill taught is further from virtue than a child who has learnt nothing at all…. is it nothing to be happy, nothing to run and jump all day? He will never be so busy again all his life long.” He saw the potential for children to be shaped to believe in goodness, and to not be corrupted by society as he had believed to have happened to those around him. A person’s educational growth defines the life that they will live, and the opportunities they will have as an adult. The United States supports the need for an education as part the nation’s growth, and in continuing prosperous activity into future generations. The past century of american history has solidified expectations of higher education in order for a person to