Was the United States government created in the image of Rousseaus Social Contract?
No it was not created in the image of Rousseau’s Social contract. It was created largely, in part, as an expression of John Locke’s social contract theory. The Declaration is founded on the notions of the social contract theory but, once again, John Locke’s social contract theory. Many differences exist between Rousseau’s and Locke’s theory of the social contract but the biggest difference is Locke’s view of property. Locke saw the rights of property naturally arising in society while Rousseau saw property as an one more expression of inequality. Of course, I’m simplifying everything here but hopefully this points you towards the main differences. The whole “pursuit of happiness” can be read as the pursuit of property.
