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“Rousseau believed the direct democracy was the preferred form of government.”

Merciful Heavens! Whatever led Monsieur Rousseau to think that twenty eight million Frenchmen could make a ‘direct’ democracy (a ‘pure’ democracy?) work? Or, for that matter, twenty eight million of anyone.

“Lawlessness and anarchy.”

An inevitable outcome, surely. Lawlessness and anarchy . . . the fruits of the “social contract.” Monsieur Rousseau is thought brilliant? Yet, this was the best he could do? Like today’s Socialist Democrat, perhaps Rousseau was judged by his intentions and not by his results. So . . . when his ideas failed, a bunch of thugs took over and declared themselves the new elite. We seem to be repeating history.

Like today’s Socialist Democrat, perhaps Rousseau was judged by his intentions and not by his results. So . . . when his ideas failed, a bunch of thugs took over and declared themselves the new elite. We seem to be repeating history.

Indeed. Thank you for sharing your insights, dear brother in Christ!

Whatever led Monsieur Rousseau to think that twenty eight million Frenchmen could make a ‘direct’ democracy (a ‘pure’ democracy?) work? Or, for that matter, twenty eight million of anyone.

He didn't. He admired the type of government in Geneva at that time, realizing it would never work in France (too big as you suggest), which is why he modified his social contract to include a representative form of government, as a necessary evil, not as a preferred choice.

Monsieur Rousseau is thought brilliant?

Actually he was subjected to rather strong criticism form the English side of the social contract for allegedly idealizing the "natural man."

So . . . when his ideas failed, a bunch of thugs took over and declared themselves the new elite. We seem to be repeating history.

He was dead eleven years when the French Revolution broke out. But he wouldn't be the first or the last philosopher whose ideas were misused for extreme political purposes. Nietzsche comes to mind.