Thursday, January 23, 2014

Rousseau on nations

The past is more than a foreign country, it's populated with people who had some hilarious ideas. Like the French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau and his belief that a Christian republic was unthinkable. The USA is a diverse amalgam of states and faiths, but it'd nonetheless be curious to see Rousseau's reaction to its modern form.

Dipping into territory that would seem more familiar to H.I. Marrou, Rousseau also had some particular ideas about education.

Kohn wraps up his chapter on the development of sovereignty with an overview of Rousseau's work framing constitutions for both Corsica and for Poland. The former was an all new nation, and so there was no true challenge for the philosopher there. The latter offered more to try him.

As part of his recommendations, Rousseau suggested that the Polish people be steeped in their native history and culture. To ensure that they were properly educated, he stated that Polish children would learn of all of their country's products by 10, all of its provinces, roads, and cities by 12, all of its history by 15, and all of its laws by 16 (256). Rousseau's idea being that this sort of education would allow Poland's citizens to kindle in their hearts a love for their country's total greatness.

Knowing only the capital, that they inevitably make beer there, and that Nintendo products are notoriously hard to find within its borders, I must be among the worst Poles ever.

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