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J.-J. Rousseau: The Utopia of Totalitarian Democracy
- Authors: Zhukov V.N.1,2
-
Affiliations:
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
- Issue: No 8 (2025)
- Pages: 7-18
- Section: Legal, political, philosophical and religious thought
- URL: https://journal-vniispk.ru/1026-9452/article/view/308081
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S1026945225080017
- ID: 308081
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Abstract
The article examines the model of liberal democracy developed by J.-J. Rousseau. It is noted that Rousseau, by identifying the state and society and emphasizing equality rather than freedom, actually justifies the totalitarian model of power. Human rights and freedom, which are declared the goal of a social contract, actually dissolve into the common will and national sovereignty. It is argued that Western European individualism, having created a market economy and a Rule of Law, at the same time tends to generate totalitarianism. It is concluded that Rousseau is one of those who stood at the origins of the totalitarian model of power.
About the authors
V. N. Zhukov
Lomonosov Moscow State University; Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
Author for correspondence.
Email: pifagor2002@mail.ru
1 Leninskie Gory, bld. 13 (4th academic building), 119991 Moscow, Russia; 10 Znamenka str., 119019 Moscow, Russia
References
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- Rousseau J.-J. On the social contract, or the Principles of political law // Rousseau J.-J. Treatises. M., 1969. Pp. 84, 86, 96, 152, 157, 160, 161, 165, 168, 170, 175, 183, 188, 220, 231, 246 (in Russ.).
- Rousseau J.-J. A discussion on the origin and grounds of inequality between people // Rousseau J.-J. Treatises. M., 1969. Pp. 69, 71–73 (in Russ.).
- Rousseau J.-J. A discussion on the question: “Did the revival of sciences and arts contribute to the purification of morals” // Rousseau J.-J. Treatises. M., 1969. Pp. 19, 26 (in Russ.).
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