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The Social Contract

Review Quiz

Book II, Chapters 1-5

Book II, Chapters 6-7

Book II, Chapters 8-12

Book III, Chapters 1-2

Book III, Chapters 3-7

Book III, Chapters 8-11

Book III, Chapters 12-18

Book IV, Chapters 1-4

Book IV, Chapters 5-9

Study Questions

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The Social Contract

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Review Quiz

According to Rousseau, what is legitimate political authority based on?

(A) Slavery

(B) A social contract

(D) Force

What do people get in return for surrendering their freedom to an absolute monarch, according to Rousseau?

(A) Preservation

(B) Security

(D) Nothing of any value

Which of the following is NOT a term Rousseau uses to describe a political association formed by a legitimate social contract?

(A) Republic

(B) Sovereign

(D) Body politic

Which of the following is NOT a term Rousseau uses to describe the members of a political association formed by a legitimate social contract?

(A) Citizens

(B) Serfs

(D) A people

Which of the following practices does Rousseau favor?

(A) Hereditary succession of power

(B) The abolition of private property

(D) Public ballots

Which of the following is NOT an example of a law?

(A) "All citizens must attend monthly assemblies"

(B) "Stockwell Day is the leader of the official opposition party in Canada"

(D) "The punishment for treason is death"

Which of the following is true of the lawgiver?

(A) He generally establishes his authority by an appeal to divine providence

(B) He is a citizen of the state he makes laws for

(D) He becomes the first head of state once he has set down the laws

Which of the following is NOT listed as a trouble that might affect a state that is too large?

(A) Overly complex bureaucracy

(B) Invasion and annexation from powerful neighbors

(D) The government will be less swift and precise in maintaining law and order

Which of the following kind of law is most important?

(A) Political Law

(B) Civil Law

(D) Law derived from morals, customs, and beliefs

In a large state, which of the following recommendations does Rousseau make?

(A) The government should be weaker

(B) There should be many magistrates

(D) There should be frequent elections

What is the name of the will exercised by magistrates in their capacity as members of government?

(A) General will

(B) Corporate will

(D) If I don't, no one will

Which of the following is NOT a danger Rousseau associates with monarchy?

(A) The monarch will govern in his own interests and not those of the people

(B) The corporate will and the general will might be confused

(D) It takes a great deal of strength to govern single- handedly

Which does Rousseau think is the best form of aristocracy?

(A) Natural aristocracy

(B) Elective aristocracy

(D) Different forms are best under different circumstances

In which of the following circumstances does democracy thrive?

(A) There is a small surplus

(B) A southern climate

(D) People don't eat much

Which of the following does Rousseau oppose because it might undermine the fraternity of the people?

(A) Government

(B) Finance

(D) Representation

What must the people vote on at every popular assembly?

(A) When the next assembly should take place

(B) Whether or not to disband the social contract

(D) Who will be the leader of the people

In what cases does Rousseau favor election by lot?

(A) In aristocracies

(B) In electing military officers

(D) In deciding on administrative affairs

Which of the following does Rousseau NOT support under any circumstances?

(A) Capital punishment

(B) Slavery

(D) Monarchy

What is an example of "religion of the citizen"?

(A) The Catholic church

(B) The gods of ancient Greece

(D) Theravada Buddhism

Which of the following "isms" is Rousseau closest to?

(A) Totalitarianism

(B) Libertarianism

(D) Communitarianism

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