Os fundamentos da legitimidade do poder em Jean Jacques Rousseau

Abstract

In view of the many examples of atrocities promoted by authoritarian governments in the past and present history, and deposit the wills of individuals above the real interests of the people, we need to make a constant analysis of the legitimacy of the powers that govern us. It is essential to men ensure fair society in which its citizens can enjoy equal rights and duties. Therefore, the greatest interest of this work is to present the theoretical and legal foundations that legitimate political power in order to demonstrate the maximum built by Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) to achieve a legitimate social organization. Faced with such a proposal, first depart the works Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men (1755) and From the Social Contract or Principles of Political Right (1762), as we believe that to better expose the main features that supported the legitimacy power, its provisions are among the most significant sources of research produced by the author about the theme. We see Rousseau in his time at which the discussions on the governance structures gained ground and notoriety as the rational characteristic movement of modernity imposes issues relevant to the current political authority. Among the great thinkers of modern philosophy Grotius, Purfendorf, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Locke, had important roles, but Rousseau is that, from the Mercy, directs to the maintenance of interests on the community through the general will.