Rousseau says that lawful political power does not exist in nature. ... "Might does not create right," explains Rousseau (Book I: III 173). If might produces right, then the people obey their rulers because they are forced to do so, not because they ought to. ... All governments are really mixed in character; and what we call a democracy is only a more or less democratic government. ... The government's role is merely to carry out the decrees, or acts of will, of the Sovereign people. ...

• Word Count: 7115
• Approx Pages: 28
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Rousseau says that lawful political power does not exist in nature. ... "Might does not create right," explains Rousseau (Book I: III 173). If might produces right, then the people obey their rulers because they are forced to do so, not because they ought to. ... All governments are really mixed in character; and what we call a democracy is only a more or less democratic government. ... The government's role is merely to carry out the decrees, or acts of will, of the Sovereign people. ...

• Word Count: 7114
• Approx Pages: 28
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The citizens accepted the change because it provided them with inspiration that was lost during the tensions arising within the oligarchy. ... And in each case the reason is the same: the tyrant can do what he pleases." ... The ring provided him with the power "to take without fear whatever he desires from the agora, go into any house and sleep with whomever he wishes, kill or release from bonds whomever he wants and do other things that gods do to men." ... (McGlew, 27) The ability of a tyrant to have complete control over a city-state created an image within the eyes of the citizens as a cha...

• Word Count: 3536
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: Undergraduate