Making Citizens: Rousseau's Political Theory of Culture

ISBN-13: 9780415040631 / Angielski / Twarda / 1993 / 320 str.

Zev M. Trachtenberg

Opis

Rousseau's theory of the effect of culture on politics is central to his philosophical understanding of society. Zev Trachtenberg explores this connection, taking Rousseau's theory to be a model of how consideration of culture can be incorporated into a wider account of political life. Trachtenberg begins with an interpretation of Rousseau's concept of the general will. His analysis identifies attitudes individuals can adopt that facilitate or impede social co-operation - attitudes Rousseau holds are culturally formed. He then takes up Rousseau's account of the evolution of human psychology, which can bring about either the actual political failure of existing society, or the possible political success of an ideal society Rousseau imagines. The culture of existing society exacerbates individuals' self-interest, leading to failures in collective action. But the culture of ideal society instills civic virtue, which motivates individuals to co-operate with one another. Trachtenberg concludes with the criticism that Rousseau's cultural ideal conflicts with his account of legitimacy. Legitimacy requires that citizens have the cognitive skills needed to formulate the general will.

Spis treści

Introduction—Political success and the general Will; The fundamental problem in politics; The general will; The commonality of the general will 1 An analysis of political failure 3 Society as it is—and as it could be 5 Culture and political success 6 Culture and legitimacy.

O autorze

Zev M. Trachtenberg