The Republican Political Idea of Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Abstract

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy highlights the interesting connection between a modern thinker and Antiquity. This connection probably served as a parameter for the Genevan philosopher to build primordial concepts that constitute his “republican political ideology”. In Rousseau’s political theory, there is the presence of models and references originating from the ancient period, as well as a robust set of ideas, notions and a political glossary that caracterize his republican approach. In order to examine Rousseau’s link with Antiquity and understand the way in which he influences the construction of his republican thought, this article’s main objectives are: first, to examine the presence of political models and references from Antiquity attested in political reflection of the Geneva thinker and, second, analyze some of the main political foundations that constitute his “republican political ideology”. In this way, we hope to understand how ancient models and references contributed to Rousseau building the structure of his republican theoretical edifice.