At first reading, Jean Rousseau's "The Social Contract" and Ayn Rand's "Anthem" seem to contain two different philosophies, including completely different views on how a society should be run. While one is free, another is bound by rules. However the goal of both social doctrines is the achievement of happiness. Both of these philosophies impose order on society. Rousseau's society views social order based on the natural inclination to find freedom. Anthem forces order on the society from the outside, rules and laws. Both Rousseau and Rand seek a harmonious society, but Anthem begins with a different means of trying to achieve that goal.
Rousseau feels that in order to be free, you must first agree to it. He relies on the society to help itself and do what ever is best for self preservation. "Duty and interest therefore equally oblige the two contracting parties to give each other help." (Ch.5) Rousseau realizes that individuals may have interests contrary to society as a whole. "In fact, each individual, as a man, may have a particular will contrary or dissimilar to the general will which he has as a citizen." (Ch.5) However, he notes: "in order then that the social compact may not be an empty formula, it tacitly includes the undertaking, which alone can give force to the rest, that whoever refuses to obey the general will shall be compelled to do so by the whole body." (Ch. 5) Rousseau refers to this as forced freedom. Rand as well is looking for happiness, but uses means of force from the outside to get there. ".it is not proper to smile without reason." (p.26) Rand's arbitrary government has rules and laws to prevent the people from getting out of order. .
International 4-8818 and we are friends. This is an evil thing to say, for it is a transgression, the great Transgression of Preference to love any among men better than the others, since we must love all men and all men are our friends.
