The Construction of Popular Sovereignty in Jean-Jacques Rousseau`s Political Philosophy: Self-identity and Self-representation as a Problem of Political Subject

Student: Stogina Alina

Educational Programme: Philosophy (Bachelor)

Final Grade: 8

Year of Graduation: 2016

The work deals with the evidence of hypothesis, according to which democratic concept of popular sovereignty (that French philosopher J-J. Rousseau describes in the «Social contract») can be transformed into totalitarianism or mass dictatorship. First of all in this work the description of Rousseau`s popular sovereignty construction with its political, philosophical and historical significance is produced. Moreover, the causes of popular sovereignty disintegration that mentioned Rousseau are pointed and the possibility of such political regime existence is examined. We managed to show the relation between the construction of popular sovereignty and concepts of German philosopher Carl Schmitt «identity» and «representation». What is more, Schmitt`s interpretation of Rousseau`s ideas about the status of the people, about his sovereignty, his rights and liberties and his general will is investigated. In this context in the work we discuss Schmitt`s concept of «political» (das Politische) and his distinction «friend-enemy». Also Schmitt`s conception of homogeneous people (homogeneous nation) and his idea of popular decision are observed.

Full text (added May 25, 2016)

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