Rousseau's Social Contract, the idea that citizens give their freedom to the government to be provided with security and prosperity, formed the basis for the arguments made against the king of England and eventually contributed to the formation the United States government as we know it today.

In what specific ways did your philosophe influence the founding of the government in the United States?

The impact of Rousseau on the foundation of the US government is profound and perceptible throughout the Declaration of Independence as well as other documents such as the constitution. Many ideas that are present in the Declaration of Independence such as the concepts of natural rights and social contract are also present in Rousseau's Social Contract. These similar ideas show the close correlation between them and demonstrate the influence that Rousseau had on the Declaration.

    One of the key subjects of the Declaration is that it remarks that all men have “certain unalienable rights”, which are mentioned as being “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”(US, 1776). This well know and pivotal excerpt is mirrored by parallel statements made by Rousseau, notably that, “[men] are born men and free; their liberty belongs to them, and no one but they have the right to dispose of it” (Rousseau, 1762). This similarity in their claims is no accident and is echoed throughout the Declaration. The Declaration repeats this sentiment regarding unalienable rights when rebuking the king later in the document. They call out the king by stating that he, “has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good”(US, 1776). Again, Rousseau’s writings align with this belief, with him saying that “Every man has naturally a right to everything he needs” (Rousseau, 1762). Thus, in regards to natural rights, the declaration seems to have taken lots of inspiration from the philosophy of Rousseau and many others. But natural rights are not the only topic that the declaration shares in common with The Social Contract and Discourses.