Matching Pairs Theory: Montesquieu & RousseauOnline version Sociological Theory: The Enlightenment, Montesquieu & Rousseau by Anne Luna 1 Despotism 2 In this type of society social classes have emerged. Farming, trade, industry and increasingly complex division of labor make a system of stratification. It suits a medium sized state with heterogeneous classes, and classes check and limit not only the power of the monarch but of one another as well. Each class prevents the other from becoming too powerful and are thus free to pursue special interests but in moderation. This is the most free type of society according to Montesquieu. 3 This type of society has small populations, and the land is held in common. Conduct is regulated by custom not laws. This is divided into two sub-categories: savages and barbarians. Savages are hunters living in small, non-sedentary societies, while barbarian raise cattle, live in large societies and are relatively sedentary. 4 Republic 5 There is no inequality, you have family/kinship systems, small bands of hunter/gatherers, subsistence economies, no surplus, so no social inequality. Most bands are matrilineal. Cultures are polytheistic. There is the development of language, symbol systems, culture, knowledge and moral systems, but no private ownership of productive property. This is the happiest period of human kind. 6 Economic change was happening as we transitioned from an agricultural bartering and land based system to one based on money-capitalism. Political change was especially necessary to transition from feudalism to capitalism & “democracy”. 7 State of nature 8 We agree to give our right to do anything to anyone, and agree to the social contract and abide to those laws that protect us from harm by others. Society will come to your rescue if you are wronged. You will be a part of the larger society. You will agree not to harm others. 9 For this Enlightenment thinker there were 2 conditions natural and social. He thought that in order to perfect ourselves, achieve freedom and happiness, and master our own fate we need a clear understanding of the laws of nature. 10 This began during the second stage of social development. Surplus makes wealth and accumulation possible. The ability to make a surplus, made it possible to hire people to become laborers. This lead to the development of classes. 11 During this time you have civil war. Internal wars start because the wealth and land is concentrated in the hands of fewer people. The institution of Inheritance over centuries puts one individual in control over everything. This concentration of land, wealth and power into the hands of the few leads to feudalism. This is all just do to heredity. 12 This political philosopher made the first attempt in modern times at constructing a philosophy of society and history. He created classification for 4 types of societies: despotism, a republic, a monarchy, and hunter/gatherers. Rousseau created this in order to better understand how to change the existing social order and replace it with one that better fit humanity. It is a hypothetical construct to think about what we need, and what we need to get rid of. War isn’t a human condition, it’s a social condition. We are animals with simple needs for which nature provides plenty. We co-exist. Montesquieu Rousseau This type of society includes democracy and aristocracy such as Athens and Sparta. It is small, with an agriculturally based economy, homogenous population, with a moderate degree of freedom. Hunter gatherers Social inequality 3rd stage of social development Revolution This type of society features an absolute ruler such as in Ancient China. All but the ruler are equal in their condition of servitude, the economy is based on agriculture, and it features the least amount of freedom. The Social Contract 1st stage of social development Monarchy
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