Rousseau, democracy, and his ideological intentionsConceptual arrangements as political devices

  1. Abellán Artacho, Pedro 1
  1. 1 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Complutense de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR 02p0gd045

Journal:
Revista de estudios políticos

ISSN: 0048-7694

Year of publication: 2019

Issue: 186

Pages: 45-71

Type: Article

DOI: 10.18042/CEPC/REP.186.02 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openDialnet editor

More publications in: Revista de estudios políticos

Abstract

This article brings to the fore and examines Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s inconsistencies when using the word ‘democracy’ in relation to ‘monarchy’ and ‘republic’. It argues that these are not the result of a mere lack of ability, or a change of beliefs in the fundamental, but of his political intentions and of his creation of a conceptual arrangement that best promotes those. A systematic approach to his main writings will show evidence indicating that Rousseau instrumentally modified his taxonomy of regimes in order to develop a republican language or ideology. This conceptual arrangement was meant to play a key role in the institution of popular sovereignty as the only legitimate form of state, and included Rousseau’s prudential intuitions about political freedom and its preservation. The article also differentiates the contradictory intentions at work behind Rousseau’s words, and outlines the main contextual factors that may have influenced his resorting to this rhetorical strategy.

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Funding information

This article is partly the result of the work I could develop while holding the Beca para la Formación del Profesorado Universitario granted by the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte de España (2012-2016).

Funders

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