The Political Philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau: The Impossibilty of Reason

by Matt Qvortrup

Overview

This exciting new text presents the first overview of Jean Jacques Rousseau's work from a political science perspective. Was Rousseau—the great theorist of the French Revolution—really a conservative? This original study argues that the he was a constitutionalist much closer to Madison, Montesquieu, and Locke than to revolutionaries. Outlining his profound opposition to Godless materialism and revolutionary change, this book finds parallels between Rousseau and Burke, as well as showing how Rousseau developed the first modern theory of nationalism. The book presents an integrated political analysis of Rousseau's educational, ethical, religious and political writings, and will be essential reading for students of politics, philosophy and the history of ideas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780719065811
Publisher:	Manchester University Press
Publication date:	12/04/2003
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.33(d)

About the Author

Professor Matt Qvortrup is Chair of Politics at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen and an adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of New South Wales, Sydney

Table of Contents

	Preface	ix
	Acknowledgements	xiii
	Introduction and method	xv
1	The politics of the soul: the life and times of Jean-Jacques Rousseau	1
2	The disenchantment of the world	19
3	Checks, balances and popular participation: Rousseau as a constitutionalist	48
4	A civic profession of faith: Rousseau's and nationalism	74
5	The last of the ancients the first of the moderns?	95
6	Epilogue: in the beginning was song	111
	Chronology of Rousseau's life	117
	Bibliography	120
	Index	131