What does Rousseau mean by the words, “Men are born free, yet everywhere they are in chains”?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s statement, “Men are born free, yet everywhere they are in chains,” summarizes the fundamental contradiction of his political philosophy and is the opening sentence of his work, The Social Contract (1762). Here, Rousseau emphasizes humanity’s tragic dilemma between natural freedom and social slavery.
- “Born Free”: Man in the State of Nature
According to Rousseau, in the state of nature (before civilization), man is completely free:
Physical freedom: He satisfies his natural needs (hunger, shelter) without hindrance.
Psychological freedom: Society has no artificial desires (greed for status, possessions).
Equality: There are no social hierarchies or mechanisms of exploitation.
He describes this state as a peaceful and harmonious state, unlike Hobbes’s understanding of “cruel nature.”
- “Chained”: The Corrupting Effect of Civilization
Rousseau explains how humanity lost its freedom in the process of socialization with the following arguments:
The invention of property:
“The first man who fenced in the land and declared, ‘This is mine!’ initiated the disaster of civilization.” (Discourse on Inequality)
Property gave rise to class inequalities and exploitation.
Artificial needs:
Civilization enslaved humanity with unnatural desires such as luxury, ostentation, and competition.
False social contracts:
The powerful subjugated the weak by deceiving them with “so-called promises of freedom.”
For example: Feudalism, absolute monarchies.
- The Source of Chains: The Structure of Society
According to Rousseau, these “chains” are not concrete but institutional:
Political institutions: Laws mostly protect the interests of the powerful.
Social norms: Traditions force people to play pretend (insincerity).
The economic system: Capitalism enslaves people by turning labor into a commodity.
Solution 4: A True Social Contract
Rousseau sees liberation from these chains in a libertarian social contract:
General Will (Volonté Générale):
Individuals should freely contract for the collective good.
“If everyone surrenders himself to society with all his rights, he loses nothing.” (Social Contract)
Direct democracy:
Rousseau advocates active participation by the people, not a representative system.
Criticisms and Contemporary Reflections
Is it applicable in practice?
Rousseau’s ideal society may be considered valid for small-scale situations (e.g., Swiss cantons), but it is debatable in modern nation-states.
Totalitarian risk:
The concept of the General Will could devolve into majority oppression, like Jacobinism and the Robespierre dictatorship.
Current context:
Today, social media algorithms, consumer culture, and bureaucratic domination can be interpreted as modern versions of the “chains” Rousseau criticized.
Rousseau’s Call
With these words, Rousseau issues a warning to humanity:
“Be aware that you have lost your freedom! Question the structures that enslave you!”
His philosophy inspired democratic movements (the French Revolution, modern socialism) that sought a balance between freedom and equality.