more from this thinker
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more from this text
Single Idea 19794
[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 3. Alienating rights
]
Full Idea
The social compact reduces to a single clause, namely the total alienation of each associate, together with all of his rights, to the entire community. Since this condition is equal for everyone, no one has an interest in making it burdensome for others.
Gist of Idea
If we all give up all of our rights together to the community, we will always support one another
Source
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], I.6)
Book Ref
Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.148
A Reaction
He speaks elsewhere of basic natural rights which can never be alienated, such as self-defence. It is what small groups do all the time, if they start off as equals. Difficult to manage with large groups. Factions are the problem.
The
15 ideas
with the same theme
[people's choice to give up some rights]:
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2369
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If we seek peace and defend ourselves, we must compromise on our rights
[Hobbes]
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19918
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Forming a society meant following reason, and giving up dangerous appetites and mutual harm
[Spinoza]
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19919
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People only give up their rights, and keep promises, if they hope for some greater good
[Spinoza]
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19921
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Once you have given up your rights, there is no going back
[Spinoza]
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19925
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In democracy we don't abandon our rights, but transfer them to the majority of us
[Spinoza]
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19928
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No one, in giving up their power and right, ceases to be a human being
[Spinoza]
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19929
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Everyone who gives up their rights must fear the recipients of them
[Spinoza]
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19932
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The early Hebrews, following Moses, gave up their rights to God alone
[Spinoza]
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19873
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We all own our bodies, and the work we do is our own
[Locke]
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19884
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There is only a civil society if the members give up all of their natural executive rights
[Locke]
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19794
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If we all give up all of our rights together to the community, we will always support one another
[Rousseau]
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7241
|
In society man loses natural liberty, but gains a right to civil liberty and property
[Rousseau]
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19806
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We alienate to society only what society needs - but society judges that, not us
[Rousseau]
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21084
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In the contract people lose their rights, but immediately regain them, in the new commonwealth
[Kant]
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21065
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You can't make a contract renouncing your right to make contracts!
[Kant]
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