How Does Rousseau Explain The Development Of Oppression?

How Does Rousseau Explain The Development Of Oppression And Domination

How does Rousseau explain the development of oppression and domination? Remember that oppression and domination for Rousseau (contra Hobbes) are not inevitable parts of the state of nature, so how did the progress of society lead to oppression and domination? Think about the development of property, ownership, the relations between the "strong and the weak", laws/right, etc. These will help you think about how oppression and domination became pernicious aspects of society. Also remember to explain what oppression/domination are for Rousseau.

Paper For Above instruction

Jean-Jacques Rousseau offers a profound analysis of the development of oppression and domination within society, distinguishing his perspective significantly from that of Thomas Hobbes. Unlike Hobbes, who viewed the state of nature as a state of perpetual conflict and believed that domination was an inherent part of human existence, Rousseau contended that inequality, oppression, and domination are products of social development and the establishment of civil society. He argues that these pernicious phenomena did not originate naturally but emerged historically through processes such as the advent of property rights, social inequality, and the structuring of laws and institutions.

Restating Rousseau's view, in the state of nature, humans were essentially equal, solitary beings driven by basic needs and free from domination or oppression. Their existence was characterized by simple, instinctual interactions that did not entail complex hierarchies or oppressive structures. Rousseau emphasizes that the natural human condition was peaceful and free, and that social inequalities only arose with the progression of society. It was the development of property and the consequent notions of ownership that marked the turning point towards social inequalities, creating the conditions for oppression to develop.

The institution of property, according to Rousseau, is the fundamental catalyst for social inequality. Initially, humans might have possessed personal belongings, but with the introduction of private property, disparities between individuals began to emerge. As some amassed more resources and land, power relations shifted. The 'strong'—those with possessions and means—began to dominate the 'weak,' leading to social stratification. These inequalities were not natural but artificially created through the establishment and enforcement of laws that favored the property-owning class. Laws, for Rousseau, served to legitimize and reinforce existing inequalities, embedding domination into society's structure.

Rousseau further explains that the relations between the strong and the weak became entrenched as society developed. The strong, owning property and wielding economic and political power, could manipulate laws and social norms to serve their interests, perpetuating their dominance. This created a cycle wherein the weak were subjected to the authority and domination of the rich and powerful, leading to systemic oppression. The social contract, initially intended to guarantee liberty and equality, was often manipulated to legitimize these inequalities, especially when rulers claimed to act in accordance with laws that disadvantaged the weaker classes.

Moreover, Rousseau contends that these inequalities fostered social feelings like envy, greed, and resentment. Such feelings, which emerged alongside social stratification, further entrenched oppression, as the oppressed developed hostility towards the oppressors. This dynamic perpetuated a cycle of domination, where established social hierarchies became self-reinforcing. Laws and institutions, rather than serving justice, began to uphold the interests of the dominant classes, creating a pernicious environment where oppression was normalized and often justified as a natural or legal necessity.

For Rousseau, oppression and domination are thus social constructs that arise from the misapplication of laws and the private ownership of property. They are not inherent to human nature but are consequences of societal development rooted in inequality. Rousseau advocates for a reimagining of social contracts and institutions to promote genuine equality, emphasizing that societal progress should aim to diminish, rather than amplify, oppression. Ultimately, he sees the development of civil society and the coercive structures it entails as the root causes of social ills such as oppression and domination.

References

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