Jean-Jacques Rousseau - The Origins and Effects of Inequality Essay

Jean-Jacques Rousseau - The Origins and Effects of Inequality - Essay Example The Dedication to the Republic of Geneva summarized the essence of Rousseau's views in the following statement: "If I had had to make choice of the place of my birth, I should have preferred a society which had an extent proportionate to the limits of the human faculties; in which every person is equal to his occupations, no one should be obliged to commit to others the functions with which he was entrusted; a State, in which all the individuals being well known to one another, and in which the pleasant custom of seeing and knowing one another should make the love of country rather a love of the citizens than of its soil"(Rousseau, 1993, pp.32-33). The Republic of Geneva was perfectly lining with Rousseau's understanding of an ideal state: a moderate democracy occupying an adequate territory, governed mostly by the laws based on traditions with citizens living relatively plain and calm life. The main paradox emphasized by Rousseau is the following: people prescribe laws to other people without proper knowledge about the natural state of human being. However, this natural law did not exist in contemporary European society that "offered a corrupt form of the species and the inequality inherent in its societies should not be taken as a standard for assessing either other cultures or other species" (Moran, 1993, p.140). For Rousseau who believed that human character was "deeply shaped by society" (Divine, 2000, p.291) it seemed impossible to unveil the true nature of humans in the European context where people had been squeezed by unfair laws and customs for centuries. The philosopher argued that the true measure of a man that would not depend upon contemporary laws and customs could be found only in 'natural' places such as African jungles. Rousseau drew strong parallels between the natural state of human beings and the state of animals. Human beings began as animals having no potent mean of communication such as language, and could not convey much of their knowledge and experience to their offspring, lacked foresight and history. These seemingly disadvantageous features gave the natural men one essential benefit: they did not suffer from the fear of death while contemporary humans feared death virtually every moment of their life (Rousseau, 1993, p.52). Rousseau positioned the natural man "at equal distances from the stupidity of brutes and the fatal enlightenment of civil man" (Rousseau, 1993, p.53). For Rousseau the fatality of enlightenment or civilization meant that it deprived man of the natural desire to exploit the potential of his body to full extent making it an instrument in achieving the balance with nature: "The body of a savage man being the only instrument he understands, he uses it for various purposes, of which ours, for want of practice, are incapable: for our industry deprives us of that force and agility" (Rousseau, 1993, p.53). Civilization brought the understanding that cooperation and mutual help would improve the results of labour, and in the process of such cooperation humans came to realize that some men were better hunters, some were better thinkers, some were stronger, etc. The understanding of inequalities between human beings was, in Rousseau’s opinion, the crucial point: â€Å"†¦from the moment one man began to stand in need of the help of another; from the moment it appeared advantageous to any one man to have enough provisions for two, equality disappeared, property was introduced, work became indispensable, and vast forests became smiling fields, which man had to water with the sweat of his brow, and where slavery and misery were soon seen to germinate and grow up with the crops† (Rousseau, 1993, p.74).     

China mitigating the impact of carbon dioxide Essay

China mitigating the impact of carbon dioxide - Essay Example Contrary to numerous states that have alleged both China and US are ignorant of numerous policies that global agencies have instituted to shun climate degradation, it has however tried to implement varied national policies. For instance, China this year revealed its intentions of reducing the CO2 emission levels stated in 2005 by approximately 60-65%. This coupled with other numerous advancements devised and proposed by Chinese government; experts have contended the country seems now to be on the right track towards curbing its excessive CO2 release. However, despite these advancements and proposals by Chinese government, the extent of CO2 emissions from the numerous sprouting industries by the day is still high, which makes the country appear as if is it is not doing enough. One of the policies implemented and currently, in place includes the vehicle exercise taxation. This policy normally compels those owning automobiles with big engines to be parting with a significant amount of t axation that commensurate with the extent of CO2 release. Hence, discouraging people from opting to own vehicles like SUV whose impact through pollution is quite high compared to small engine cars. These laws are extremely stringent compared to those in US but the challenge emerges with double release not only from the automobiles but also from industries. Hence, prompting other global states claim Chinese government does not exhibit the necessary willingness towards curbing this menace, which has ensued to political issues.