Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an 18th-century philosopher, social critic, and political theorist, remains one of the most influential figures in the development of ideas that align with modern communitarian principles. His works, particularly The Social Contract (1762), Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men (1755), and Emile, or On Education (1762), laid the groundwork for concepts that resonate with the Communitarian Union’s core principles and practices.
Rousseau’s philosophy centers on themes of collective welfare, relational interdependence, and the moral significance of collaborative living. His concepts of the ‘general will,’ natural human goodness, and the critique of private property have had lasting impacts on modern movements that seek shared prosperity through collaborative provisioning that provides the foundations of socio-economic security.
Rousseau's Influence on Communitarian Union Principles
Rousseau’s central ideas can be seen in several of the Union’s key principles:
- ‘Common’ Wealth Shared Prosperity: Drawing from Rousseau’s critique of private property, the Union’s ‘common purse’ system embodies shared wealth and provision for all.
- Living Simply: Rousseau’s vision of natural human simplicity is embedded in the One Cloak Tenet to live with less, reduce waste, and practice ethical consumption.
- Collaborative Provisioning: Rousseau’s ‘general will’ underpins the idea that communal provisioning is more equitable than fragmented individual consumption.
- Contribution: Rousseau’s belief in human moral development informs the Union’s expectation that every associate contributes time, energy, and resources for the common good.
These principles are also supported by the teachings of modern communitarian thinkers that include Elinor Ostrom, Murray Bookchin and Amitai Etzioni; however, Rousseau’s ideas remain foundational.
Rousseau's Key Principles that Connect to Communitarian Union Practices
Rousseau’s most enduring ideas is ‘general will’ which prioritizes the collective good over individual self-interest. The ‘general will’ represents the unified, collective interest of those united in association, rather than the sum of individual preferences.
COMMUNITARIAN APPLICATION
- Collaborative Decision-Making: Rousseau’s idea of the ‘general will’ is echoed in the Communitarian Union’s commitment to participatory governance. Instead of focusing on the majority’s will (which could favor factions), the aim is to cultivate decisions that serve the collective well-being.
- ‘Common’ Wealth and Shared Resources: The Union’s shared financial resources in a ‘common purse’ system parallels the pursuit of communal welfare over individual wealth accumulation. Rousseau’s critique of personal wealth hoarding is reflected in the Union’s ethos of shared prosperity.
Rousseau argued that private property is the root of inequality and social division. In his Discourse on Inequality, he traced the origin of inequality to the moment when one person claimed ownership of land, convincing others to recognize it as private property. He believed this shift led to hierarchy, exploitation as well as loss of freedom, and along with it, the rise of poverty.
Communitarian Application
- Common Ownership and Provisioning: The Communitarian Union’s advocacy for shared provisioning reflects Rousseau’s critique of private property. By pooling resources and distributing them according to collective needs, the Union aims to eliminate the inequalities Rousseau criticized.
- Eco-Aligned Right Livelihood Enterprises: Rousseau’s notion of equality through shared resources is embodied in Right Livelihood cooperatives, where the SHAREHOLDERS, have a stake in the production, distribution, and management of ‘common’ wealth.
The Return to Natural Simplicity
Rousseau believed that human beings, in their natural state, were peaceful, self-sufficient, and free from the corrupting influence of wealth and power. He advocated for a simpler way of living, free from the complexities of ‘civilized’ society. The Communitarian Union’s principle of ‘Living Simply’ directly reflects Rousseau’s call to adopt a natural, less materialistic way of life.
Communitarian Application
- Living Simply: The One Cloak Tenet of ‘Living Simply’ invites members to reduce material excess and focus on needs over desires. This practice mirrors Rousseau’s ideal of simplicity and aligns with his vision of natural freedom.
- Cleanliness of Mind, Body, and Environment: Rousseau’s belief in the natural purity of human beings also connects to the Union’s tenet of ‘Cleanliness of Mind, Body, and Environment,’ which encourages clarity, purity, and simplicity in one’s surroundings and inner life.
Moral Development Through Education
Rousseau’s Emile presents a vision of human development through education. He believed education should nurture innate human goodness, rather than force conformity to societal expectations. Education, for him, was about fostering self-reliance and critical thinking.
Communitarian Application
- Gestalt Personal & Group Development Workshops: provide training to master the skills of resolving conflict, mediation & proficient command of active peace processes which extend beyond application to immediate communitarian associations.
- Training for Associate Communitarians: The Communitarian Union’s Learning Hub’s Evolved Living Nutrition Facilitator Training and Eco-social Workshops, echoes Rousseau’s approach to education. The Union’s emphasis on practical skills, ethical development, and community well-being mirrors Rousseau’s educational philosophy.
- Collaborative Living and Right Livelihood: Rousseau believed education should prepare individuals to live as free citizens while making positive contributions to society. The Union’s collection of reference material on the subjects of Collaborative Living & Right Livelihood Eco-social Enterprise, foster this same sense of practical love-in-action and communal contribution.
From Vision to Fruition
Rousseau’s ideas have come to life through the establishment and progression of modern communitarian movements such as the network of communitarian unions across the globe. His call for a collective general will, critique of property, and emphasis on moral education, continue to inspire practices of ‘holding all things in common’ founded on the principle and practice of ‘common’ wealth shared prosperity underpinned by collaborative production and distribution (according to need) made possible by adopting a love-style of evolved relational expression. His vision for human flourishing remains a guiding light for those courageously forging pathways to collaborative living and loving.
Through Rousseau’s enduring legacy, communitarian principles have not remained abstract ideas, but practical realities embodied in common purse financial pooling of both resources, and financial reserves derived from Right Livelihood eco-social enterprises, and co-living arrangements. By integrating Rousseau’s philosophical contributions to the foundational ethics of the global network of communitarian Unions, associates actively demonstrate the possibility of creating a world where the constitutional right to life, liberty and happiness born of shared prosperity is not just touted as rhetoric, but rather brought to fruition as the collective lived experience.
- The Social Contract (1762)
- Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men (1755)
- Emile, or On Education (1762)
These texts remain vital contributors to understanding the philosophical roots of communitarian union eco-social ethical practices and offer timeless guidance for those pursuing the lifestyle and love-style of Deep Union where all may live in peace and security by developing and maintaining active participation within, and contribution to collaborative ‘common’ wealth associations.
