Rousseau Discourse on Inequality Discussion Starter

Can Rousseau’s analysis of the generation of inequality be applied to the recent dramatic rise of inequality in the United States?

Rousseau outlines two types of inequality in the Discourse on Inequality: natural inequality, which includes differences in physical strength, and unnatural inequality, which refers to artificial differences which humans have created and upheld like private property and other measures of material wealth. Unnatural inequality is a manifestation of complex human societies, which have lead to the development of amour propre, man’s tendency to compare himself to others. He argues that individuals that have accumulated more wealth avoid revolution by the poor by convincing them into believing that collectively the two groups will govern to establish laws concerning equality. This deception is successful because the rich exploit the natural tendencies of man to seek freedom and self-preservation. So the rich leverage their power in political power under the pretense of justice to maintain their wealth and keep the poor suppressed. Rousseau terms this exploitation moral inequality.

This moral inequality is visible is both economic and social spheres in the United States. This country profits off of its free market economy, which promotes business growth and competition. Those who are successful are the wealthiest and are able to start new companies, buy out their competition, or expand. The justification for capitalistic activities is that they support the American Dream, the promise that anyone can pursue a business opportunity in this country and can be successful. In practice, however, we have seen a growth of business monopolies, which dominate entire industries. For example, Monsanto dominates much of the country’s agriculture industry, and oppresses the activities of independent farmers by not only attracting more consumers, but also by encroaching on private property and threatening lawsuits small companies and individuals cannot afford in the case of noncompliance, strongly discouraging the competition the American Dream relies on.

Rousseau also warns that moral inequality leads to civil discord when the deception of the rich causes the poor to distrust each other. One example of this is the targeting of public-employee unions by Republican politicians, which has divided the working class by pinning private employees against public employees. As a result, both groups rely on the political power to secure their needs, rather than collectively protesting for more protection of the working class.