Reading Rousseau in the Nuclear Age

Reading Rousseau in the Nuclear Age
Author: Grace G. Roosevelt
Publisher:
Total Pages: 275
Release: 1990
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 9780877226796

For more than two centuries, the political writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau have helped shape many different responses to historical experience. While today's readers are aware of Rousseau's contemporary significance, his writings on war and peace have been almost completely ignored. This book offers a fresh interpretation of two of Rousseau's little-known works: his unfinished "The State of War" and his summary and critique of the Abbe de Saint-Pierre's Project for Perpetual Peace. Starting with an account of her discovery of the original page sequence of Rousseau's manuscript on "The State of War," Grace G. Roosevelt explores his theory of international conflict and explains his alternative approaches to the problem of securing peace. She brings out the important connections between Rousseau's theory of international politics and his principles of education, arguing throughout for the continuing relevance of his ideas. Roosevelt's main contention is that, when studied in relation to his works on politics and education, Rousseau's writings on war and peace provide the modern reader with a realistic analysis of the war system and a normative vision of the possibilities for peace. In discussing his principles of education, Roosevelt suggests that Rousseau's writings challenge us to confront the question of whether educational systems should aim to create citizens of a particular state or citizens of the world. The book includes full translations, by the author, of Rousseau's unpublished manuscript on "The State of War" and of his forty-page "Summary" and "Critique" of the Project for Perpetual Peace. Author note: Grace G. Roosevelt is Adjunct Assistant Professor of the Humanities in the General Studies Program at New York University.

Rousseau: 'The Social Contract' and Other Later Political Writings

Rousseau: 'The Social Contract' and Other Later Political Writings
Author: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 404
Release: 1997-07-24
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780521424462

The work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau is presented in two volumes, together forming the most comprehensive anthology of Rousseau's political writings in English. Volume II contains the later writings such as The Social Contract and a selection of Rousseau's letters on important aspects of his thought. The Social Contract has become Rousseau's most famous single work, but on publication was condemned by both the civil and the ecclesiastical authorities in France and Geneva. Rousseau fled and it is during this period that he wrote some of his autobiographical works as well as political essays such as On the Government of Poland. This 1997 volume, like its predecessor, contains a comprehensive introduction, chronology and guide to further reading, and will enable students to obtain a full understanding of the writings of one of the world's greatest thinkers.

The Cambridge Companion to Rousseau

The Cambridge Companion to Rousseau
Author: Patrick Riley
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 474
Release: 2001-08-27
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 9780521576154

Universally regarded as the greatest French political theorist and philosopher of education of the Enlightenment, and probably the greatest French social theorist tout court, Rousseau was an important forerunner of the French Revolution, though his thought was too nuanced and subtle ever to serve as mere ideology. This 2001 volume systematically surveys the full range of Rousseau's activities in politics and education, psychology, anthropology, religion, music and theater.

Rousseau: A Very Short Introduction

Rousseau: A Very Short Introduction
Author: Robert Wokler
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 188
Release: 2001-08-23
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0191604429

One of the most profound thinkers of modern history, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) was a central figure of the European Enlightenment. He was also its most formidable critic, condemning the political, economic, theological, and sexual trappings of civilization along lines that would excite the enthusiasm of romantic individualists and radical revolutionaries alike. In this study of Rousseau's life and works Robert Wokler shows how his philosophy of history, his theories of music and politics, his fiction, educational and religious writings, and even his botany, were all inspired by visionary ideals of mankind's self-realization in a condition of unfettered freedom. He explains how, in regressing to classical republicanism, ancient mythology, direct communion with God, and solitude, Rousseau anticipated some post-modernist rejections of the Enlightenment as well. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Rousseau: 'The Discourses' and Other Early Political Writings

Rousseau: 'The Discourses' and Other Early Political Writings
Author: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 498
Release: 1997-07-13
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780521424455

The work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau is presented in two volumes, together forming a comprehensive anthology of Rousseau's political writings in English. This second volume contains the earlier writings such as the First and Second Discourses, the publication of which signalled the power and challenge of Rousseau's thinking. Rousseau's influence was wide reaching and has continued to grow since his death: major landmarks in world history, such as the American and French Revolutions, were profoundly affected by Rousseau's writing, as were cultural and intellectual movements such as Romanticism and Idealism. This volume, like its successor, contains a comprehensive introduction, chronology and guide to further reading and will enable students to obtain a full understanding of the writings of one of the world's greatest thinkers.

The Ashgate Research Companion to Federalism

The Ashgate Research Companion to Federalism
Author: Ann Ward
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 688
Release: 2016-04-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1317043448

This comprehensive research companion examines the theory, practice and historical development of the principle of federalism from the ancient period to the contemporary world. It provides a range of interpretations and integrates theoretical and practical aspects of federalism studies more fully than is usually the case. The volume identifies and examines nascent conceptions of the federal idea in ancient and medieval history and political thought before considering the roots of modern federalism in the ideas of a number of important European political theorists of the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries. The contributors focus on the development and institutionalization of the principle of federalism in the American Republic and examine the historical development and central policy debates surrounding European federalism. The final sections investigate contemporary debates about theories of federalism and regional experiences of federalism in a global context including Africa, India, Australia, the Middle East, and North and South America. The scope and range of this volume is unparalleled; it will provide the reader with a firm understanding of federalism as issues of federalism promise to play an ever more important role in shaping our world.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Politics, art, and autobiography

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Politics, art, and autobiography
Author: John T. Scott
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 544
Release: 2006
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 9780415350877

Bringing together critical assessments of the broad range of Rousseau's thought, with a particular emphasis on his political theory, this systematic collection is an essential resource for both student and scholar.

A Reinterpretation of Rousseau

A Reinterpretation of Rousseau
Author: J. Alberg
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 237
Release: 2007-10-01
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0230607136

In this radical reinterpretation of Rousseau, Jeremiah Alberg argues that the philosopher's system of thought is founded on theological scandal, and on Rousseau's inability to accept forgiveness. Alberg explores his views in relation to alternative forms of Christianity.

The Political Philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The Political Philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Author: Matt Qvortrup
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Total Pages: 162
Release: 2013-07-19
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 184779582X

This electronic version has been made available under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) open access license. 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.