Rousseau, law, and the sovereignty of the people

Together with Plato s Republic, Jean-Jacques Rousseau s Social Contract is regarded as one of the most original examples of utopian political engineering in the history of ideas. Similar to the Republic, Rousseau s masterwork is better known today for its author s idiosyncratic view of political justice than its lessons on lawmaking or governance in any concrete sense. Challenging this common view, Rousseau, Law and the Sovereignty of the People examines the Genevan s contributions as a legislator and builder of institutions, relating his major ideas to issues and debates in twenty-first century political science. Ethan Putterman explores how Rousseau s just state would actually operate, investigating how laws would be drafted, ratified and executed, arguing that the theory of the Social Contract is more pragmatic and populist than many scholars assume today. Together With Plato's Republic, Jean-jacques Rousseau's Social Contact Is Regarded As One Of The Most Original Examples Of Utopian Political Engineering In The History Of Ideas. Similar To The Republic, Rousseau's Social Contract Is Better Known Today For Its Author's Idiosyncratic View Of Political Justice Than Its Lessons On Law-making Or Governance In Any Concrete Sense. Challenging This Common View, Rousseau, Law And The Sovereignty Of The People Examines The Genevan's Contributions As A Legislator And Builder Of Institutions, Relating His Major Ideas To Issues And Debates In Twenty-first Century Political Science. Ethan Putterman Explores How Rousseau's Just State Would Actually Operate, Investigating How Laws Would Be Drafted, Ratified And Executed, Arguing That The Theory Of The Social Contract Is More Pragmatic And Populist Than Many Scholars Assume Today--provided By Publisher. Introduction: The Celestial Voice -- Rousseau's Concept Of Law -- Agenda-setting And Majority Rule -- Democracy And Vote Rigging -- Popular Sovereignty And The Republican Fear Of Large Assemblies -- Enforcing The Laws In Poland And Corsica -- Judging The Laws/when Legislation Fails -- Conclusion: Law And Liberty. Ethan Putterman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [179]-182) And Indexes. "Together with Plato's Republic, Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Social Contact is regarded as one of the most original examples of Utopian political engineering in the history of ideas. Similar to the Republic, Rousseau's Social Contract is better known today for its author's idiosyncratic view of political justice than its lessons on law-making or governance in any concrete sense. Challenging this common view, Rousseau, Law and the Sovereignty of the People examines the Genevan's contribution as a constitutionalist and builder of institutions, relating his major ideas to issues and debates in twenty-first century political science. Ethan Putterman explores how Rousseau's just state would actually operate, investigating how laws would be drafted, ratified and executed, arguing that the theory of the Social Contract is more pragmatic and populist than many scholars assume today"--Provided by publisher. "Together with Plato's Republic, Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Social Contact is regarded as one of the most original examples of Utopian political engineering in the history of ideas. Similar to the Republic, Rousseau's Social Contract is better known today for its author's idiosyncratic view of political justice than its lessons on law-making or governance in any concrete sense. Challenging this common view, Rousseau, Law and the Sovereignty of the People examines the Genevan's contribution as a constitutionalist and builder of institutions, relating his major ideas to issues and debates in twenty-first century political science. Ethan Putterman explores how Rousseau's just state would actually operate, investigating how laws would be drafted, ratified and executed, arguing that the theory of the Social Contract is more pragmatic and populist than many scholars assume today"-- Résumé de l'éditeur Contents 7 Acknowledgments 8 A note on the text 10 Abbreviations 11 Introduction: The celestial voice 13 Rousseau’s concept of law 22 Agenda-setting and majority rule 52 Democracy and vote rigging 84 Popular sovereignty and the republican fear of large assemblies 108 Enforcing the laws in Poland and Corsica 134 Judging the laws/when legislation fails 158 Conclusion: Law and liberty 185 Select bibliography 191 Name index 195 Subject index 197 Machine generated contents note: Introduction: the celestial voice; 1. Rousseau's concept of law; 2. Agenda-setting and majority rule; 3. Democracy and vote rigging; 4. Popular sovereignty and the republican fear of large assemblies; 5. Enforcing the laws in Poland and Corsica; 6. Judging the laws/when legislation fails; Conclusion: law and liberty; Selected bibliography; Index.