As with many historical and philosophical terms throughout The Social Contract, Rousseau uses the word “dictator” in a way very different from its present-day meaning and connotations. He specifically uses the word in the context of the dictators of the Roman Republic, who were given almost absolute power over a specific function (usually the military), in order to guide the Republic through emergencies (usually wars). However, dictators were only given these powers for a short, set period of time, and they could not make laws pertaining to anything outside the domain with which the Senate entrusted them. This is similar to the way modern-day presidents and prime ministers often get expanded powers during emergencies, when time is of the essence and strong centralization is necessary to protect the nation’s interests. Rousseau argues that this kind of dictatorship can be necessary, and so he concludes that states should make provisions for appointing dictators in times of need, while also imposing severe limitations (like Rome did) to make sure that these dictators do not take too much power and turn into tyrants.
Dictator Quotes in The Social Contract
The The Social Contract quotes below are all either spoken by Dictator or refer to Dictator. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Book 4, Chapter 7
Quotes
It is useless to separate the morals of a nation from the objects of its esteem; for both spring from the same principle and both necessarily merge together. Among all the peoples of the world, it is not nature but opinion which governs the choice of their pleasures. Reform the opinions of men, and their morals will be purified of themselves. Men always love what is good or what they think is good, but it is in their judgement that they err; hence it is their judgement that has to be regulated. To judge morals is to judge what is honoured; to judge what is honoured, is to look to opinion as law.
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Dictator Term Timeline in The Social Contract
The timeline below shows where the term Dictator appears in The Social Contract. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Book 4, Chapter 6: Dictatorship
...the sovereign authority.” Although the sovereign people cannot make laws while the “supreme head” or dictator has power, its general will still guides the state, whose first priority is survival.
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At different times, Rome used both these strategies, but Rousseau focuses on its use of dictatorship. Rome repeatedly appointed dictators in its early years, when nobody wanted to participate in government...
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