Rousseau, Locke e Karl Marx

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in his work 'The Social Contract', argues that sovereignty should reside in the people, being exercised by the 'general will'. Which of the alternatives below best reflects this idea?

• Sovereignty is a power delegated to the king, who governs on behalf of the people.

• The general will represents the individual interests of each citizen.

• The general will is the expression of collective interests, above individual interests.

• The general will is always determined by an enlightened minority.

• The general will is merely symbolic, with no practical role in government.

Rousseau believes that the state of nature of human beings is one of freedom and equality, but society corrupts them. The main cause of inequality among men, according to him, is:

• Human nature.

• A religion.

• Private property.

• A morality.

• The general will.

In Rousseau's thought, the social contract aims to:

• Maintain the natural freedom of individuals in the state of nature.

• Establish a government based on the will of an intellectual elite.

• Replace natural freedom with civil and political freedom.

• Preserve inequality among citizens in the name of order.

• Transfer popular sovereignty to an absolute ruler.

For Rousseau, political freedom can only be achieved when:

• Citizens renounce their individual interests in the name of the general will.

• The government is exercised by a formed elite.

• Private property is expanded to all citizens.

• The individual will of each citizen prevails over the collective.

• Citizens obey unconditionally the laws imposed by the State.

Rousseau distinguishes between general will and the will of all. The fundamental difference between these two forms of will is:

• The general will is the sum of individual interests, while the will of all is collective.

• The general will aims for the common good, while the will of all represents the sum of particular interests.

• The will of all is always more just and rational than the general will.

• Both are identical forms of representation of popular sovereignty.

• The will of all is closer to human nature than the general will.

John Locke, in 'Two Treatises of Government', argues that the state of nature of men is characterized by:

• A war of all against all.

• Freedom, equality, and rationality.

• Natural submission to the sovereign.

• The absence of rights and duties.

According to John Locke, the social contract is intended to protect the natural rights of individuals. What are these rights, according to Locke?

• Right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

• Right to property, work, and leisure.

• Right to life, liberty, and property.

• Right to security, religion, and education.

• Right to equality, fraternity, and justice.

Locke argues that in the state of nature, all men have natural rights, but to preserve these rights, they agree to form a civil society. Which of the following statements summarizes Locke's position?

• The state of nature is completely disorganized and chaotic.

• The government is formed to protect natural rights, such as property.

• The government must be absolute to control the excesses of individuals.

• Civil society is formed to eliminate private property.

• The government must serve the interests of the economic elites.

For Locke, the main function of civil government is:

• To ensure the military security of the state.

• To control religion and public morality.

• To protect natural rights, mainly property.

• To create laws to benefit the aristocracy.

• To regulate the economy and foreign trade.

Locke defends the right to rebellion when the government:

• Ceases to exist due to lack of leadership.

• Does not guarantee the protection of national borders.

• Does not protect the natural rights of citizens, such as liberty and property.

• Increases taxes without the consent of the governed.

• Prevents the practice of religions different from the official one.