AutonomousArt

Rousseau’s Discourse on Inequality and Emile popularized the myth that humans are born good and society (property, hierarchy, tradition) ruins us. Fix it with the right education, the right state, the right social contract, and we shall return to natural harmony. This is the kernel of modern progressivism: the belief that inequality is unnatural, institutions are oppressive, and experts/moral vanguards must engineer a better humanity. From this foundation, many took it to the extremes - reign of terror, Pol Pot. But even in moderation it was harmful! Because ultimately It rejects the empirical reality that humans are flawed, self-interested, and that institutions channel that into productive order rather than radicalism and violence. French Theory (post-1968) took Rousseau’s suspicion of truth, power, and norms and turned it into an uglier monster. But the original sin starts with him