ABSTRACT
In society as it is, Rousseau argues, cultural practices feed political failure. In actual society moeurs exacerbate amour propre, thereby shaping individuals whose private interest prevents them from cooperating in collective action. In order to illuminate the political failings of society as it is, Rousseau posits an ideal society-a normative standard against which actual society can be measured. Rousseau structures this ideal-society as it could be-around the requirements for political success. In particular, he recognizes that certain cultural conditions must obtain in order for the general will to be formulated and enforced. The culture of society as it could be thus functions to create citizens: individuals who are civically virtuous, hence for whom cooperation in collective action is a matter of course.
