ABSTRACT
The peculiar significance of Rousseau for our Western culture lies in the fact that he leads the way in the substitution of the state for the church as the primary institution of human brotherhood. The belief in fellowship which had formerly been expressed in religious terms he now expresses in terms of politics. There are two conflicting types of political theory. On the one hand is the "organic" theory which Rousseau represents. Opposing it are "disorganie" theories, such as those of Locke and Dewey. For Rousseau it springs from the unity of generosity and mutual understanding. For Locke and Dewey, political institutions are "interested". For Rousseau, they are "disinterested". Rousseau's analysis of the state as an agency of general intelligence is very incomplete. They were expressing the passionate conviction of Rousseau that the primary business of a government is to see to it that its people are free.
