Your response to this assignment should be roughly 750 words in length, typed, and in Word or PDF format, double spaced. The quality of the writing, to the extent that it interferes with my ability to understand what you say, will be taken into consideration in the grade. You are expected to use quotations and paraphrases from the text(s) under consideration; these must be cited properly with a page number. Failure to give a reference corresponding to a quotation will figure in the grade assigned.  

Construct a response to the following question:

 On what theoretical basis does Rousseau claim that human beings are born free and yet he finds them to be everywhere in chains (Social Contract I.1)? Does this claim apply to John of Salisbury’s conception of the body politic? If so, in what way? If not, why not? Justify your judgment by stating your reasoning and support your answer with concrete reference to the relevant texts.

Book to cite from: 

– John of Salisbury, Policraticus 

–  Rousseau, Basic Political Writings

Pre-submission checklist:

____Your name is on the assignment itself (This is especially important)

____The submission is formatted in Word or PDF

____The assignment is double-spaced

____The assignment is paginated

____The assignment is spell-checked

____The assignment is proof-read