Jean-Jacques Rousseau

is responsible for discrediting force as a basis for the State and convincing men that authority was legitimate only when founded in rational consent.

In one direction at least Rousseau's influence was a steady one: he discredited force as a basis for the State, convinced men that authority was legitimate only when founded in rational consent and that no arguments from passing expediency could justify a government in disregarding individual freedom or in failing to promote social equality.

Kingsley Kingsley MartinThinkers

Kingsley Kingsley Martin