“A) Explain how Rousseau links together the notions of force and duty in the Social Contract. B) Consider how far these two concepts might be used in interpretation of Jacques-Louis Davids The oath of Horatti and Casper David Fredrichs The Chasseur in the Forest (Illustration Book, Colour Plates 43 and 64) respectively.”

Much of Rousseaus discussion in the Social Contract is largely concerned to establish whether or not the authority the state exercises over us as citizens is legitimate. On the cover of the Social Contract is the statement Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains. What Rousseau means by being in chains is living in society. He does not want us to escape our chains by escaping living in society, but rather to consider how can it be right for us to live in the chains of a society when our natural state is to be free. Rousseau is not concerned how or when this change took place (from the state of nature to the civil state), but is far more interested in what made this change legitimate. So we have the question of what makes the states authority legitimate to rule over its people?…(short extract)