Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the effects of social inequality in the republic

Abstract

On the assumption that social inequality is an extremely severe problem and responsible for generating drastic effects to political regime, and given that this issue was the target of scathing criticism and often object of thought reflection by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, I analyze this problem through a republican bias, followed by the philosopher from Geneva. Therefore, this article will have three objectives: firstly, presenting the concept of Republic and its three main principles, which are equality, political freedom and the overall willingness. Secondly, examining the concept of Rousseau’s social inequality and which are its most devastating effects for the republican regime and thirdly, examining if Rousseau suggests any measure or procedures to prevent or defer the coming of inequality and its likely consequences.