Rousseau the Social Contract\" War

Rousseau

The Social Contract"

War then is a relation, not between man and man, but between State and State, and individuals are enemies only accidentally, not as men, nor even as citizens" -- Rousseau

Rousseau's musing on the social contract posit the idea that human beings, to survive and also to willingly (one could argue) enjoy the benefits of civilized society sacrifice some liberties. To not live in a state of fear, citizens agree to obey the laws of the land, and in modern society, this means to pay taxes, not steal, to not harm our neighbor and to give back to the state in the form of our service and loyalty. But one of the most barbaric aspects of human life 'in society' is that most uncivilized occupation of war. To live in society, human beings may fight other individuals with whom they have no quarrel, whom they would never have met had not their sovereign disagreed with the other combatant's sovereign. This seems almost as uncivilized as the state of nature itself.

In agreeing to do barbaric things, like kill other people according to the order and will of a sovereign, as well as more minor acts of incivility demanded by our government, the 'chained' nature of the human condition in society, no matter how benign a society becomes clear. Perhaps war is sometimes necessary. But always soldiers must remember they are not fighting as individuals, they have sacrificed their individuality for the common benefit, so others, paradoxically, can enjoy being individuals in society.