Title: The role of public opinion in Rousseau's conception of property
Abstract:For many readers, Rousseau's views on property represent the most ambiguous and contradictory aspect of an already undeveloped economic theory. In this paper, I re-examine this popular criticism from ...For many readers, Rousseau's views on property represent the most ambiguous and contradictory aspect of an already undeveloped economic theory. In this paper, I re-examine this popular criticism from the standpoint of the philosopher's well-known critique of public opinion to argue that property is a more consistent and systematically articulated concept in Rousseau's writings than may appear. I argue that opinion, rather than private property, poses the greatest danger to self-made law and that the narrowness and peculiarity of its political threat demonstrates Rousseau's restrictions against private wealth to be less comprehensive than many believe.Read More
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 33
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