Discourse on Political Economy
Rousseau distinguishes governing a household from governing a city. Political community should pursue the common good, form citizens, and organize public resources through rules that protect freedom while addressing inequality.
Understanding the text
The article precedes The Social Contract and already uses the general will. Its proposals about taxation reveal attention to concrete institutions.
Encyclopédie article “Economy,” later published separately. The article precedes The Social Contract and already uses the general will. Its proposals about taxation reveal attention to concrete institutions.
Key points
- 01
Household and state
Parental authority does not provide a direct model for political authority among citizens.
- 02
Forming citizens
Law needs support from habits and public attachments, not only fear of penalties.
- 03
Contributions and wealth
The discussion of taxation distinguishes necessities from luxuries and examines the distribution of common burdens.
How to read it
Compare uses of “general will” with The Social Contract while preserving differences of problem and context.
Editions & sources
Summaries and key points are original editorial interpretations. They accompany reading the work and do not replace an edition of the text. Editorial method ↗